A  Series  of  Bible  Studies 


...THE.. 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY 


E.  S.  ¥OUNG,  B.  A..  B.  D., 

Professor  of  Sacred  History  and  Theology,  Author  of  "Life  of  Christ,  Harmony  of  the  Four  Gospels,' 

"  The  Bible  Outline,"  "  The  Bible  Geography,"  "  The  Old  Testament  History," 

"Analysis  of  the  Books  of  the  Bible." 


Blessed  are  they  that  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness . 
for  they  shall  be  filled. — MATT.  5:  6. 


BILL 


Qmjton,  Ohio. 

STUlfKN 
1907. 


I'.Ii'.LE    STtfiJENT    COMPANY. 


Entered  According  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  Year  1900  by 

E.  S.  YOUNG,  Elgin,  Illinois, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 


All  Rights  Reserved. 


The  Bible  is  the  only  book  that  reaches  man's  highest  aspirations. 
Many  persons  have  attempted  to  satisfy  these  aspirations  without  bring- 
ing them  in  touch  with  the  Bible,  and  they  have  made  a  failure  of  life. 
Man  was  created  to  enjoy  an  eternal  home  of  happiness,  which  can  be 
reached  only  by  fully  and  carefully  following  the  directions  presented 
in  the  Book  given  us  by  God. 

Every  follower  of  Jesus  is  a  representative  from  heaven  and  should 
be  known  as  such  in  words  and  works.  This  can  be  accomplished  only 
by  a  daily  use  of  the  Heavenly  Book  that  is  intended  to  fill  us  with 
heavenly  thoughts  and  the  desire  to  be  heavenly  representatives  upon 
the  earth.  The  Bible  is  an  eternal  book;  man  has  an  eternal  soul,  which 
is  to  be  cultured  and  prepared  by  a  proper  use  of  the  Eternal  Book,  for 
the  Eternal  Home.  Jesus  holds  the  nearest  place  to  our  Heavenly 
Father,  and  when  we  hear  Jesus  speak  we  are  brought  into  the  very 
presence  of  the  Father. 

As  we  enter  upon  the  study  of  this  Book  we  come  into  a  closer  rela- 
tion with  our  Heavenly  Father,  because  we  take  up  the  study  of  the  life 
and  work  of  his  Son,  our  Savior,  who  came  upon  earth  to  reveal  unto  us 
the  will  of  his  Father.  In  the  Old  Testament  we  were  constantly  pre- 
paring ourselves  for  the  study  of  that  which  is  more  advanced  and  spir- 
itual, the  life  of  Christ  and  the  church  of  the  New  Testament. 

The  first  chapter  contains  some  important  spiritual  teaching,  se- 
lected from  the  Old  Testament,  showing  the  development  of  the  spirit  of 
expectation.  In  the  chapter  taking  up  the  Four  Centuries  of  Silence, 
there  is  a  constant  preparation  of  a  people,  a  language,  and  a  govern- 
ment for  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man.  In  the  Ministry  of  Christ  some 
of  the  important  teachings  are  developed  in  a  chronological  order,  but 
for  a  fuller  study  of  this  subject  we  refer  you  to  our  "Life  of  Christ,  or 
Harmony  of  the  Four  Gospels,"  which  gives  the  text  of  the  four  Gospels 
and  traces  the  journeys  of  Jesus  on  carefully  prepared  maps.  The  clos- 
ing chapters  of  the  book  contain  a  history  of  the  church  from  the  time 
of  the  coming  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  lead  and  guide  the  followers  of 
Jesus,  until  the  history  closes  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles. 

(3) 


2233312 


4  .   PREFACE. 

Much  will  depend  upon  every  student  as  to  the  real  benefit  received 
through  the  study  of  these  lessons.  If  you  expect  the  best  results  you 
want  your  Bible  constantly  with  you  as  you  follow  these  pages,  so  that 
you  may  turn  to  the  text  of  the  Scripture  for  the  truth  on  which  these 
lessons  are  based. 

We  cannot  insist  too  strongly  upon  every  student  in  the  study  of 
the  Bible  complying  with  the  teaching  of  our  Savior  when  he  said  he 
would  send  another  Comforter  who  was  to  guide  them  into  all  truth.  If 
the  Holy  Spirit  has  been  given  to  lead  us  into  all  truth,  we  are  disobe- 
dient children  when  we  make  an  effort  for  years  to  understand  the  Bible 
without  asking  him  for  his  assistance  and  help.  Every  follower  of  Jesus 
has  this  privilege  to  study  the  Bible  and  secure  the  aid  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  make  known  that  which  before  was  unknown. 

For  many  years  the  author  has  been  conscious  of  the  fact  that  the 
Bible  is  a  neglected  book  and  that  more  attention  should  be  given  it  in 
every  Christian  home.  For  the  purpose  of  meeting  this  need  in  the 
home,  a  number  of  years  have  been  spent  in  studying  and  teaching  the 
Bible  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  a  system  of  Bible  Study  that  would 
make  the  Bible  of  greater  interest  in  the  home  and  result  in  greater 
spiritual  life  in  the  followers  of  Jesus. 

The  author  acknowledges  with  thanks  the  numerous  kind  and  use- 
ful hints  which  he  has  received  from  others,  which  have  been  an  aid  in 
the  development  of  this  system  of  work.  We  hope  that  through  the 
study  of  these  lessons  the  Bible  will  be  of  greater  use  in  many  homes, 
and  that  those  who  are  now  following  Jesus  may  be  led  into  a  closer  ac- 
quaintance with  him  each  day,  and  t  that  at  last  every  home  may  know 
him  and  realize  the  value  of  his  presence  daily.  As  we  send  forth  this 
book  we  pray  that  the  Holy  Spirit  may  be  your  guide  in  the  unveiling 
of  the  truths  of  Jesus.  E.  S.  Y. 


OOHSTTZEHrSTTS. 


PART   ONE. 
Preparations  for  Christ  s  Coming, 

CHAPTER  I. 
During  Old  Testament  History, 1 1 

CHAPTER  II. 
During  Four  Centuries  of  Silence, 16 

PART  TWO. 

The  Books  of  the  New  Testament. 

CHAPTER  I. 
The  Four  Gospels 23 

CHAPTER  II. 
Acts  and  Pauline  Epistles, 26 

CHAPTER  III. 
General  Epistles  and  Revelation, 34 

PART  THREE. 

The  Life  of  Christ. 

CHAPTER  I. 
The  Period  of  Preparation 38 

CHAPTER  II. 
The  Period  of  Inauguration, 43 

CHAPTER  III. 

The  Early  Galilean  Ministry, 48 

(5) 


6  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IV. 
The  Later  Galilean  Ministry, 52 

CHAPTER  V. 
The  Period  of  Retirement, 61 

CHAPTER  VI. 
The  Period  of  Judean  Ministry, 66 

CHAPTER  VII. 
The  Period  of  Perean  Ministry, 69 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
The  Period  of  the  Passion  Week 78 

CHAPTER  IX. 
The  Period  of  Triumph 90 

PART  FOUR. 
The  New  Testament  Church. 

CHAPTER  I. 
The  Church  of  Jerusalem, 96 

CHAPTER  II. 
The  Church  of  Palestine, 104 

CHAPTER  III. 
The  Church  of  the  Gentiles, 112 


NATURAL  FEATURES 
PALESTINE. 


H*MKIT-&  ?a*^ 


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,  I,  \WJ)>if\  bt.tJf?  v-:vm  2i,  <&.6»-%; i?7  :-: 


Search  the  Scriptures. 

Behold,   I   come  as  a  thief.     Blessed 

is  he  that  watcheth  and  keep- 

eth    his   garments. 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY. 


PART  ONE. --Preparations  for 
Christ's  Coming. 


CHAPTER  I.— DURING  OLD  TESTAMENT  HISTORY. 


THE  coming  of  Jesus  Christ  into  the  world  was  not  absolutely  an 
isolated  event  in  the  history  of  mankind.  There  was  a  long  prepara- 
tion, a  gradual  development  from  the  time  that  Adam  and  Eve  sinned 
and  were  driven  from  the  Garden  until  the  appearance  of  him  who 
should  be  able  to  cleanse  from  all  sin  and  prepare  mankind  for  a  home 
in  the  Paradise  of  God.  In  the  great  chain  of  this  development  types 
and  shadows  of  the  Coming  One  appear.  They  are  all  finger  boards 
pointing  to  the  perfect  fulfillment  in  Christ.  Had  the  Jews  studied 
their  Scriptures  more  carefully  they  would  have  been  ready  to  receive 
the  Messiah  when  he  came.  A  thorough  knowledge  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment cannot  be  obtained  without  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament. Read  and  study  the  Old  Testament  in  this  light,  and  you  will 
see  this  new  life  in  every  book  and  chapter.  The  Bible  is  the  Book 
from  God,  and  must  be  carefully  studied  through  the  different  stages  of 
development.  The  following  Messianic  prophecies  and  types  are  clear- 
ly set  forth  in  the  Old  Testament  and  find  their  perfec*  fulfillment  in 
the  Christ  of  the  New  Testament. 

I.  THE  IDEAL  SEED  (Gen.  3:  15).— When  Adam  and  Eve 
disobeyed  God  they  were  driven  from  the  Garden  and  compelled 
to  begin  a  lifelong  struggle  between  death  and  victory.  But 
even  before  they  were  banished  from  the  Garden  they  received 
the  tidings  of  redemption — "  The  seed  of  the  woman  shall  bruise 
the  serpent's  head."  About  four  thousand  years  passed  before 
the  fulfillment  of  this  Messianic  prophecy  when  Mary  became 
the  mother  of  the  Holy  Child. 

II.  THE   IDEAL   MAN   (Gen.  12:  2,  3).— During  the  first  two 

thousand  years,  while  God's  government  was  universal  and  he 

made  his  will  known  to  men  as  individuals,  the  Messianic  hope 

remains  practically  undeveloped.    In  order  to  develop  this  hope 

(ii) 


12  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

God  called  Abraham,  in  1921,  to  separate  himself  from  his  kin- 
dred and  go  to  a  land  that  he  would  show  him,  where  he  would 
make  of  him  and  his  descendants  a  great  nation  through  which 
all  the  nations  of  the  earth  would  be  blessed.  "  I  will  make  of 
thee  a  great  nation,  and  I  will  bless  thee,  and  make  thy  name 
great;  and  thou  shall  be  a  blessing."  The  covenant  God  made 
with  Abraham  was  repeatedly  renewed  and  confirmed  by  sacri- 
fices, so  that  the  glory  should  not  depart  until  the  coming  of 
Shiloh  and  a  people  should  be  prepared  for  the  coming  of  the 
Ideal  Man,  of  whom  faithful  Abraham  may  be  considered  a  type. 
While  this  is  inferred  it  is  not  so  stated  directly  in  the  text. 

III.  THE  IDEAL  MEDIATOR  (Deut.   18: 15-17).— About  four 
hundred  and  thirty  years  after  the  call  of  Abraham  the  Chosen 
Family  had  grown  into  a  great  nation  and  was  held  under  severe 
bondage  by  the  Egyptians.     Moses  was  chosen,  protected  and 
trained  to  lead  the  Chosen  Nation  out  of  bondage  into  surround- 
ings more  favorable  for  the  gradual  development  of  her  great 
mission  in  the  world.     Moses  delivers  the  nation  and  leads  them 
to  Mt.  Sinai,  where  God  delivers  their  laws  to  them  to  educate 
them  as  his  chosen  ones.    After  some  days  of  purification  on  the 
part  of  the  people,  God  appeared  on  the  mountain  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  people  and  spake  in  an  audible  voice  the  words  of 
the  Ten  Commandments.     When  the  people  heard  God's  voice 
they  trembled  and  were  afraid,  and  asked  for  a  mediator  through 
whom  the  future  messages  of  God  might  come  to  them.     Moses 
was  appointed  their  mediator,  and  is  typical  of  the  Ideal  Media- 
tor for  whose  coming  the  nation  was  making  ready. 

IV.  THE  IDEAL  LAW  (Ex.  20: 1-18;  Jer.  31:31-34).— The  Jews, 
having  been  delivered  and  separated,  were  in  need  of  culture  so 
as  to  be  prepared  for  the  ideal  spiritual  Law.      For  the  purpose 
of  reaching  this  higher  state  as  a  nation  God  gave  them  the 
Mosaic  Law,  through  which  they  might  be  educated  to  accept 
the  higher  law  in  which  forgiveness  and  perfection  could  be  ob- 
tained through  obedience.    The  Mosaic  Law  was  the  schoolmas- 
ter and  taught  the  nation  the  following  lessons  which  are  fully 
understood  in  the  coming  of  the  New,  typified  by  the  Old:  (a) 
That  there  is  but  one  God.    (£)  That  the  one  God  is  holy,    (c) 
That  those  who  worship  him  must  be  holy,    (d)  That  man  is  a 
sinner  and  cannot  reach  holiness  without  forgiveness.    (<?)  That 
God  is  willing  to  forgive  the  sinner  through  the  suffering  of  an- 
other.   (/)  That  in  order  to  secure  forgiveness  the  sinner  must 
believe  in  his  substitute. 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  13 

V.  THE  IDEAL  PRIEST  (Num.  25: 12,  13).— After  the  Mosaic 
Law  had  been  given  and  the  Tabernacle  set  up,  God  called 
Moses  to  anoint  Aaron  and  his  sons  to  be  the  priestly  family,  to 
perform  the  services  at  the  Sacred  House  as  stipulated  by  the 
Law.  Aaron  directed  the  work  and  entered  once  each  year  into 
the  Most  Holy  Place,  with  animal  blood,  to  make  atonement  for 
the  sins  of  the  people.  Aaron  was  but  a  type  of  "  The  Ideal 
Priest,"  Christ,  who  entered  once  for  all  into  the  Most  Holy 
Place,  heaven  itself,  with  his  own  blood  to  make  an  atonement 
for  the  sins  of  the  people.  That  needs  not  to  be  repeated. 

VI.  THE  IDEAL  KING  (2  S^am.  7:11-16;  Ps.  11).— The  nation 
after  being  organized  and  led  into  the  Promised  Land  was  for 
many  years  oppressed  by  surrounding  heathen  nations;  but  God 
had  compassion  on  them  and  raised  up  Judges  to  deliver  them 
from  these  several  oppressions.  In  passing  through  these  experi- 
ences the  way  was  paved  for  a  single  ruler.  David  is  chosen  as 
the  king  and  develops  in  the  nation  the  spirit  of  heroism  and  con- 
quering majesty,  which  could  finally  be  found  only  in  the  coming 
of  an  Ideal  King  of  whom  David  was  but  a  type.  The  Psalms 
and  literature  of  the  time  are  full  of  the  Messianic  Hope  and  of 
the  praise  of  the  Coming  King. 

VII.  THE  IDEAL  TEMPLE  (Isaiah  2: 1-4).— The  Tabernacle 
built  at  Mt.  Sinai  gave  place  to  a  richer,  larger  and  more  valua- 
ble building,  Solomon's  temple.  When  the  temple  of  Solomon 
had  answered  its  purpose  it  gave  way  to  a  still  richer,  more 
beautiful  and  more  permanent  Temple,  of  which  the  former  sa- 
cred buildings  were  but  types.  The  smoke  that  ascended  from 
the  burning  of  the  daily  offerings  reminded  the  people  that  sin 
must  in  some  way  be  atoned  for.  The  priests  that  presented  the 
people's  offerings  reminded  them  that  there  must  come  a  Media- 
tor who  shall  go  between  them  and  God,  not  simply  to  remind 
them  of  sin,  but  to  make  an  atonement.  The  Most  Holy  Place, 
in  which  God  dwelt,  had  no  image  to  represent  him,  and  the  peo- 
ple were  taught  that  God  is  a  spirit  and  that  mere  sacrifices 
could  not  atone  for  the  sins  of  the  people.  The  Temple  fore- 
shadowed the  true  Temple,  the  ideal  worship  in  Christ. 

VIII.  THE  IDEAL  SUFFERING  SERVANT  (Isa.  42: 1-4). 
— Slowly  but  surely  the  chain  that  brings  to  the  Ideal  unwinds. 
Through  the  Prophetic  Age  there  is  a  gradual  unfolding  of  the 
Messianic  Hope  in  the  portraiture  of  "the  Suffering  Servant." 
Israel  and  Judah  were  carried  into  captivity  and  the  obedient 
remnant  is  willing  to  suffer  for  the  sake  of  those  who  are  to  be 


14  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

delivered.  Thus  the  remnant  that  is  to  save  through  obedience 
the  disobedient  is  a  Suffering  Servant,  typical  of  the  Ideal  Suffer- 
ing Servant,  Christ,  who  is  by  his  own  suffering  through  obedi- 
ence to  save  the  disobedient. 

IX.  THE  IDEAL  PROPHET  (Deut.  18:15-19).— The  proph- 
ets were  the  most  spiritual  teachers  in  the  Old  Testament.  They 
were  God's  mouthpieces  by  which  his  messages  were  delivered 
to  the  kings  and  priests.  Their  mission  was  to  set  out  into  clear- 
er view  the  coming  of  the  Ideal  Prophet  and  arouse  the  nation 
with  the  spirit  of  expectation.  Sixteen  prophetic  books  were 
placed  into  the  canon  for  the  purpose  of  leading  others  into  this 
same  light  and  developing  the  nation  still  farther  by  the  use  of 
these  visions  as  the  nation  approaches  still  nearer  the  time  for 
the  coming  of  the  Ideal  represented  by  the  types  and  shadows. 
They  saw  in  vision  the  Ideal  Prophet  and  gave  a  very  minute  de- 
scription of  his  advent.  Isaiah  names  the  family  in  which  he  is 
to  make  his  appearance  (Isaiah  1 1 :  i),  "  out  of  the  stem  of  Jesse." 
Micah  names  the  town  in  which  he  was  to  be  born  (Micah  5:  2), 
"Thou  Bethlehem."  In  following  carefully  the  increasing  ex- 
pectation from  the  utterance  of  the  first  Messianic  Hope  in  the 
Garden  of  Eden,  through  the  rituals  and  ceremonies,  we  are 
brought  through  a  period  of  four  thousand  years  and  find  the 
very  family,  the  very  city,  the  very  house  and  the  very  hour  in 
which  occurred  the  birth  of  the  Son  of  God. 

QUESTIONS. 

What  book  must  we  study  to  understand  Christ's  first  coming? 
For  what  purpose  should  we  study  the  Old  Testament? 
What  comfort  was  given  Adam  and  Eve  in  the  Garden? 
How  long  before  this  promise  was  fulfilled? 
Why  did  God  call  Abraham? 
Who  was  the  Mediator  of  the  Old  Testament? 
Why  did  Israel  ask  for  Mediator? 
What  was  the  purpose  of  the  Mosaic  Law? 
What  special  lessons  are  found  in  the  Mosaic  Law? 
Where  were  Aaron  and  his  family  set  apart  for  service? 
Why  did  Israel  desire  a  king? 
What  did  the  Temple  typify? 

Who  was  the  Suffering  Servant  in  the  Old  Testament? 
Who  in  the  New? 

What  was  the  mission  of  the  Prophets? 
Where  was  Jesus  to  be  born? 
In  what  tribe  and  family? 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  15 

REVIEW. 

I.  The  Ideal  Seed. 

II.  The  Ideal  Man. 

III.  The  Ideal  Mediator. 

IV.  The  Ideal  Law:  i.  One  God.     2.  God   is  Holy.    3.  Worshiper 
must  be  Holy.    4.  Sinner  reaches  holiness  through  forgiveness. 
5.  God  forgives  through  the  suffering  of  another.    6.  Sinner  must 
believe  in  the  One  that  suffers  for  him. 

V.  The  Ideal  Priest. 
VI.  The  Ideal  King. 
VII.  The  Ideal  Temple. 
VIII.  The  Ideal  Suffering  Servant. 

IX.  The   Ideal    Prophet:    i.  The    Family.    2.    City.    3.  House.     4. 
Hour. 


To  Adam  (Race) 

O 

70 
CO 

-1 

To  Abraham  (Nation) 

To  Jacob  (Tribe) 

By  Daniel  (Time) 

By  Micah  (Town) 

To  Mary  (Person) 

To  Shepherds  (Fact) 

To  Wise  Men  (House) 

PROPHECIES  POINTING  TO  CHRIST. 


CHAPTER  II. — DURING  FOUR  CENTURIES  OF  SILENCE. 


The  Prophetic  Age  has  closed,  the  voice  of  the  prophet  is  not  heard. 
The  Messianic  Hope  waits  for  its  fulfillment  until  the  night  of  four  hun- 
dred years  has  passed  and  the  dawning  of  the  new  Prophetic  Age  which 
shines  forth  when  the  voice  of  the  Prophet  o'i  God,  John  the  Baptist,  the 
forerunner  of  the  Messiah,  is  heard.  Four  hundred  years  is  a  long  peri- 
od in  the  history  of  any  nation.  The  nation  enters  upon  these  four  hun- 
dred years  without  the  aid  of  the  prophet's  voice  but  is  furnished  with 
the  results  and  experiences  of  a  rich  course  of  instruction,  accompanied 
by  the  Law  as  a  schoolmaster  and  by  the  light  of  the  prophetic  word. 
With  the  Temple  rebuilt,  idolatry  put  away,  religious  services  at  Jeru- 
salem thoroughly  organized,  the  sacred  books  written  and  through  the 
work  of  Ezra  and  Nehemiah  collected  and  arranged  into  the  Canon,  we 
should  expect  the  nation  to  continue  the  same  spirit  of  development  un- 
til the  time  of  the  fulfillment  of  the  types  and  shadows.  During  this  pe- 
riod many  changes  take  place  that  are  favorable  to  the  ushering  in  of 
the  New  Era.  The  preparation  during  this  period  is  not  confined  to  the 
Jewish  nation,  as  the  Gentile  world  is  undergoing  radical  changes  that 
prepare  them  for  his  coming  in  whom  they  find  an  answer  to  many 
unsolved  problems. 

I.  THE  JEWISH  NATION. 
i.  Location. 

(i)  The  Jews  of  Palestine. — From  the  scattered  Jewish  nation 
perhaps  not  more  than  50,000  returned  to  Palestine  after  the 
Babylonian  Captivity.  These  are,  in  the  strict  sense,  known 
as  the  Palestinian  Jews,  yet  some  include  these  among  the 
scattered  Jews  in  the  East.  The  Jews  of  Palestine  did  not 
come  in  touch  with  the  progress  that  was  being  made  in  oth- 
er parts  of  the  world,  and  it  had  a  tendency  to  develop  in 
them  formalism  and  make  them  narrow  in  their  religious 
views.  They  rigidly  enforced  the  Mosaic  Law  as  to  the  let- 
ter, and  by  the  side  of  it  formulated  Traditional  Law,  which 
they  considered  of  equal  authority.  Palestinian  Judaism 
sank  into  narrow  legal  sectarianism.  Foreign  subjugations 
drove  the  Palestinian  Jews  more  into  themselves  religiously. 
The  Rabbinical  Ideal  Hop.:  was  different  from  the  Scriptur- 
al Ideal  Hope.  In  the  former  they  expected  an  earthly  king 
and  in  the  latter  they  looked  for  a  king  in  a  new  spiritual 

world. 

(16) 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY.  17 

(2)  The  Jews  of  the  Dispersion,—* The  majority  of  the  Jewish 
nation  did  not  return  to  Palestine  at  the  close  of  the  captivi- 
ty in  Babylon.  "  There  was  no  nation  in  the  world  which 
had  not  among  them  part  of  the  Jewish  people."  A  nation, 
the  vast  majority  of  which  was  dispersed  over  the  whole  in- 
habited earth,  had  ceased  to  be  a  special  and  became  a 
world-wide  nation.  Yet  its  heart  beats  in  Jerusalem,  and 
thence  the  lifeblood  passes  into  its  most  distant  members. 
They  are  sent  forth  to  influence  the  nations  with  the  hope  of 
the  Spirit  of  Expectation  and  at  the  same  time  be  influenced 
by  the  thought  of  the  nations  being  brought  to  more  spiritual 
life  through  the  education  of  the  nations. 
(a)  Dispersion  in  the  East.  When  the  Jews  were  carried 
away  they  had  their  home  in  the  East.  In  the  develop- 
«  ment  of  the  Jewish  literature  these  Jews  in  the  East,  with 

the  Jews  of  Palestine,  are  in  many  things  agreed  as  to  a 
strict  observance  of  the  Traditional  Law,  as  well  as  the 
Law  of  Moses.  The  Messianic  teaching  in  the  East  ap- 
pears at  the  time  of  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  when 
the  wise  men  from  the  East  bring  him  gifts  at  his  birth. 
(6)  Dispersion  in  the  West.  The  Jews  are  thoroughly  inter- 
ested in  the  national  religion;  however  unconsciously  to 
themselves,  their  mental  characteristics  and  tendencies 
were  in  the  opposite  direction  to  that  of  their  brethren 
in  the  East. 

With  those  in  the  East  rested  the  future  of  Judaism; 
and  with  those  in  the  West  the  future  of  the  world.  The 
Jews  located  in  the  West  are  known  by  the  name  Hellen- 
ists, because  they  conform  to  the  language,  manner  and 
culture  of  the  Greeks.  It  was  not  possible,  even  by  re- 
ligious and  social  isolation  in  the  progress  that  the 
Greeks  were  making  in  intellectual  culture,  not  to  be 
affected  by  it.  The  Jews  were  hated  by  the  Gentile 
world,  yet  with  all  their  hatred  many  of  the  Greeks  be- 
came proselytes  to  the  Jewish  faith  as  set  forth  by  the 
western  Jews.  Thus  the  Jews  of  the  West  developed 
not  only  the  Spirit  of  Expectation  in  their  own  nation, 
but  had  by  their  influence  prepared  a  number  in  the  Gen- 
tile world  for  the  coming  of  the  Universal  King. 

a.  The  Sects. 

(i)  The  P/tarisees.— These  were  the   most  numerous,   popular 
and  powerful  of  the  three  sects  of  the  Jews.    They  were  so 


l8  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

called  because  their  main  endeavor  was  to  maintain  the 
strictest  separation  from  everything  heathenish,  foreign  and 
ceremonially  unclean.  They  originated  about  two  hundred 
years  before  the  birth  of  Christ.  They  placed  the  Tradition- 
al Law  on  the  same  authority  with  the  Law  of  Moses.  By 
their  zeal  for  the  law,  contempt  for  everything  not  Jewish, 
and  their  strong  opposition  to  Gentile  customs  and  culture, 
they  most  completely  won  the  favor  of  the  people.  They 
believed  in  the  immortality  of  the  soul  and  the  resurrection 
of  the  dead.  They  were  eagerly  looking  for  the  Messiah 
who  would  establish  at  once  by  force  of  arms,  a  splendid 
Jewish  Kingdom. 

(2)  The  Sadducees. — In  direct  opposition  to  the  Pharisees  stood 
the  Sadducees,  which  sect  also  originated  about  200  B.  C. 
They  defended  the  Sacred  Scriptures,  but  wholly  denounced 
the  traditional  writings.    Through  them  the  authority  of  the 
Sacred  Word  was  confirmed  and  that  which  was  not  such 
constantly  weakened   for  the  orthodox   ritualist  Jew.    The 
later  Sadducees  had   no  doubt  carried  much  further  than 
their  predecessors  the  skeptical  tendencies  that  had  origi- 
nated among  them.     They  rejected  the  doctrine  of  future 
punishment,  denied  the   resurrection  and  the  existence  of 
angels  and  spirits. 

(3)  The  Essenes. — These  are  not  named  in  the  Bible,  but  are  a 
sect  of  the  Jews  that  are  named  by  Philo  and  Josephus.    The 
original  germ  of  their  society  is  found  in  distinct  colonies  on 
the  banks  of  the  Dead  Sea.    They  kept  apart  from  other 
Jews  and  had  four  distinct  grades  of  initiation,  each  one  dis- 
tinctly separate  from  the  other, 

3.  Literature. 

(i)  Apocryphal  Books. — These  books  originate  in  the  Alexan- 
drian schools.  The  religion  of  the  Old  Testament  is  brought 
near  to  the  Grecian  world  of  thought  through  the  translation 
of  the  Old  Testament  into  Greek  in  the  school  of  Alex- 
andria. It  is  also  important  that  the  Jews  come  more  under 
the  influence  of  Greek  thought,  which  is  accomplished  by  an 
intermediate  step  through  the  preparation  of  the  Apocryphal 
literature.  This  is  a  common  ground  on  which  the  two  can 
meet  and  a  final  reconciliation  be  effected.  The  general  ob- 
ject of  these  books  is  twofold.  "  First,  of  course,  it  was 
apologetic — intended  to  fill  gaps  in  Jewish  history  or  thought, 
but  especially  to  strengthen  the  Jewish  mind  against  attacks 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  19 

from  without,  and  generally  to  extol  the  dignity  of  Israel." 
"  The  second  object  was  to  show  that  the  deeper  and  purer 
thinking  of  heathenism  in  its  highest  philosophy  supported — 
nay,  in  some  respects,  was  identical  with  the  fundamental 
teaching  of  the  Old  Testament."  There  is  no  distinct  allu- 
sion to  the  Messiah  by  name  in  these  books,  but  in  several  of 
them  there  is  an  undercurrent  of  hope  which  is  based  upon 
the  prophetic  promise  of  a  Messiah  in  the  Old  Testament. 
Only  a  few  of  these  can  be  mentioned  here  as  proof  of  the 
above  statements. 

(a)  Ecclesiasticus  gives  expression  of  the  Messianic  Hope  in 
different  passages,  says  Ewald.  The  House  of  David  is 
singled  out  as  the  ruling  family  and  the  glory  of  Israel  in 
the  future  is  clearly  set  forth. 

(£)  I  Maccabees  14:41.  The  Jews  and  priests  were  well 
pleased  that  Simon  should  be  their  governor  and  high 
priest  for  ever,  until  there  should  arise  a  "  faithful  proph- 
et." 

(c)  Wisdom  of  Solomon  personifies  the  divine  Wisdom  and 
Love  which  was  evidently  regarded  as  the  teaching  of 
the  Old  Testament  and  blended  with  the  hope  of  a  Per- 
sonal Deliverer.  In  some  of  the  other  books  the  same 
hope  of  the  Coming  King  is  clearly  set  forth.  The  value 
of  these  books  will  be  more  clearly  seen  by  the  student 
as  he  makes  a  thorough  study  of  the  period  and  observes 
the  influence  of  Greek  thought  upon  the  Jewish  nation. 

(2)  The  Septuagint. — This  is  the  Greek  translation  of  the  Old 
Testament  made  some  time  in  this  period.  The  series  of 
events  that  led  to  the  preparation  of  this  Greek  version  of 
the  Old  Testament  are  of  special  interest  to  every  Bible  stu- 
dent in  tracing  the  progress  of  religious  thought.  This  work 
was  used  for  some  time  before  the  coming  of  Christ,  as  it 
had  in  a  sense  displaced  the  Hebrew  Bible  which  had  been 
used  for  many  centuries  in  the  past.  The  Jews  were  favored 
by  the  great  leaders  of  Greece  and  Egypt,  and  at  one  time  it 
is  said  that  there  was  no  part  of  the  world  where  the  Jews 
congregated  in  such  large  numbers  as  in  the  city  of  Alexan- 
dria. About  half  the  population  gathered  there,  and  in  the 
time  of  Christ  they  numbered  about  one  million.  The  Jews 
enjoyed  great  privileges  in  Egypt  and  were  by  the  influence 
of  Greek  culture  thoroughly  trained  in  the  Alexandrian 
school.  Among  them  are  many  cultured,  thoughtful  men 


2O  NE>r  TESTAMENT  HISTORY. 

whose  minds  had  been  brought  in  contact  with  the  best 
results  of  heathen  philosophy.  "  This  translation  was  made 
at  Alexandria  and  no  doubt  originated  through  the  advanced 
Jewish  Bible  students  in  that  school.  This  Greek  version  of 
the  Alexandrian  School  was  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Gen- 
tiles and  spread  through  the  world  before  the  coming  of 
Christ."  Dr.  Stanley  says:  "  If  ever  there  was  a  transla- 
tion which,  by  its  importance,  rose  to  the  level  of  the  origi- 
nal, it  was  this.  It  was  not  the  original  Hebrew,  but  the 
Septuagint  through  which  the  religious  truths  of  Judaism  be- 
came known  to  the  Greeks  and  the  Romans."  Through  the 
distribution  of  the  Greek  version  among  the  Jews  and  Gen- 
tiles the  Messianic  Hope  was  ripened. 

4.  Worship. 

(1)  The  Temple. — After  the  Jews  returned  from  captivity  the 
worship  of  God  in  the  Temple  was  reestablished.    The  tem- 
ple worship  continued  throughout  this  period  with  more  or 
less  faithfulness.    At  times  the  conflicts  were  so  severe  and 
the  Jews  were  under  such  cruel  rulers  that  it  was  impossible 
to  carry  out  their  system   of  worship.     However,  this  was 
broken  at  intervals,  yet  there  was  found  at  the  coming  of 
the  Son  of  Man  the  Temple  and  the  Jewish  system  of  wor- 
ship. 

(2)  The  Synagogue. — The  Jews  were  widely  scattered  and  wor- 
shiped in  synagogues  which  probably  originated  during  their 
stay  in  the  Captivity.    These  were  of  great  importance,  as 
they  gave  opportunities  to  study  the  Sacred  Literature  in 
every  province.     They  had  a  great  missionary  influence  on 
the  nations  and  prepared  the  people  for  more  spiritual  serv- 
ice.   It  so  broadened  the  Jew  that  at  the  coming  of  Christ 
those  who  read  and  studied  the  Scriptures  were  ready  to  ac- 
cept him  as  the  Messiah,  while  those  who  were  in  the  Tem- 
ple service  continually  developed  the  letter  of  the  Law  and 
failed  to  be  ready  when  the  Messiah  came. 

II.  THE  INTELLECTUAL  WORLD.— The  literature  that 
was  developed  by  the  ancient  Greeks  was  another  great  factor  in 
preparing  the  world  for  the  coming  Messiah.  The  Jews  are  scat- 
tered in  every  province,  and  by  the  aid  of  the  universal  Greek  lan- 
guage they  can  prepare  themselves  and  the  Gentiles  who  come  in 
contact  with  them  for  the1  coming  event.  They  already,  through  the 
progress  of  Greek  thought  and  literature,  received  copies  of  the 
Old  Testament  in  the  Greek  language.  The  Greek  language  was 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  21 

the  universal  language  when  V_hrist  came  and  made  it  possible  for 
all  to  understand  the  new  life;  it  also  furnished  a  form  in  which  to 
crystallize  the  Divine  Utterances  for  all  future  history.  The  hea- 
then world  was  during  the  last  four  hundred  years  making  rapid 
progress  to  develop  by  her  philosophies  and  literature  a  people 
ready  for  something  larger  and  greater  than  that  furnished  through 
the  material  world.  They  had  names  for  many  idols,  but  there  de- 
veloped in  the  time  of  Plato,  Socrates  and  Cicero,  and  in  the  later 
history,  events  too  great  to  assign  to  any  power  they  were  acquaint- 
ed with.  It  was  this  unexplained  power  they  were  reaching  out 
after  that  made  them  ready  for  the  coming  of  the  God-Man.  They 
wanted  to  know  the  "  unknown  God." 

III.  THE  POLITICAL  WORLD.— During  this  period  there  are 
numerous  changes  in  the  centralization  of  power.  When  the  Old 
Testament  closes  the  ruling  power  is  the  Persian  Empire.  The 
ruler  that  conquers  the  nation  and  changes  the  centralization  ot 
power  is  Alexander  the  Great.  After  his  death  there  was  a  struggle, 
between  Syria  and  Egypt  as  to  the  ownership  of  the  Jewish  nation. 
The  Jews  receive  favorable  treatment  from  the  king  of  Egypt 
while  they  are  under  his  authority,  the  same  as  they  did  under  the 
emperor  Alexander.  But  when  they  fall  under  the  wicked  rule  oi 
the  Syrians  they  pass  through  a  period  of  severe  persecution. 
They  are  delivered  from  this  oppression  by  Judas  Maccabaeus. 
who  at  the  head  of  a  great  army  defeated  the  Syrians,  and  the 
Jews  again  became  a  free  people.  After  this  they  became  subject 
to  the  Roman  Empire,  which  was  universal  and  one  of  the  three 
great  factors  in  preparing  the  world  for  Christ.  Thus  the  Jews 
prepared  a  people  for  the  Ideal  Hope.  The  Greeks  prepared  a 
universal  language  by  which  all  peoples  might  hear  and  know  the 
Hope.  The  Romans  prepared  a  universal  government  in  which 
there  was  peace  when  the  Hope  was  being  fulfilled. 

QUESTIONS. 

How  many  years  of  silence? 

What  had  the  Jews  during  this  period  to  direct  them? 

What  about  the  Gentile  world  ?- 

Who  were  the  Palestinian  Jews? 

How  did  they  regard  the  Mosaic  Law  and  Traditions? 

Who  were  the  Jews  of  the  Dispersion? 

What  effect  had  they  on  the  nations? 

Who  were  the  Hellenists? 

Name  the  sects  of  the  Jews. 


22 


NEW   TESTAMENT  HISTORY. 


What  did  the  Pharisees  believe? 

When  did  the  Sadducees  believe? 

Who  were  the  Essenes? 

What  effect  had  the  literature  on  the  Gentile  world? 

In  what  books  is  the  Messianic  Hope  presented? 

When  did  the  Septuagint  originate? 

Where  was  the  Greek  translation  made? 

In  what  did  the  people  worship? 

What  effect  did  synagogue  worship  have  upon  the  people? 

What  was  the  mission  of  the  Jews,  Greeks  and  Romans? 

REVIEW. 
I.  The  Jewish  World. 

1.  Location:  (i)  The  Jews  of  Palestine.     (2)  The  Jews  of  the  Dis- 
persion,   (a)  Dispersion  in  the  East,    (b)  Dispersion  in  the  West. 

2.  The  Sects:  (i)  The   Pharisees.     (2)  The  Sadducees.     (3)  The 
Essenes. 

3.  Literature:    (i)    Apocryphal    Books,      (a)    Ecclesiasticus.      (b) 
Maccabees,    (c)  Wisdom  of  Solomon.    (2)  The  Septuagint. 

4.  Worship :  (i)  The  Temple.     (2)  The  Synagogue. 
II.  The  Intellectual  World. 

III.  The  Political  World. 


SEARCHING  THE  8CRUTUBKS. 


PART  TWO. --The  Books  of  the 
New  Testament. 


CHAPTER  I.— THE  FOUR  GOSPELS. 


The  word  Gospel  means  good  news.  There  is  really  only  one  Gos- 
pel, one  story  of  Christ's  life,  presented  in  four  different  aspects  by  four 
different  authors.  The  first  three  are  called  synoptic  (seeing  together) 
Gospels;  they  to  a  great  extent  report  the  same  incidents  and  teachings. 
They  deal  chiefly  with  Christ's  work  in  Galilee,  referring  only  inciden- 
tally to  his  visits  at  Jerusalem.  The  fourth  Gospel  is  a  supplement  to 
the  others,  dealing  chiefly  with  his  ministry  in  Judea.  It  is  not  the  pur- 
pose of  the  Gospels  to  record  a  complete  history  of  Christ's  earthly  ca- 
reer, but  to  record  such  facts  as  will  reveal  his  divine  nature  and  make 
clear  the  great  object  of  his  life  and  death. 

I.  MATTHEW. 

1.  The  Author.— Matthew,  at  first  called  Levi,  was  an  apostle  of 
Christ  and  was  eyewitness  to  most  of  the  incidents  he  relates. 
Before  his  conversion  he  was  a  publican,  a  tax-collector  of  cus- 
toms and  tolls  on  the  goods  and  persons  crossing  the  Sea  of 
Galilee. 

2.  Date. — He  wrote  first  in  Hebrew,  probably  as  early  as  45  A.  D. 
and  about  60  A.  D.  his  gospel  was  translated  into  the  Greek. 

3.  For  Whom  Written. — He  wrote  especially  for  the  Jews. 

4.  Purpose. — His  chief  aim  is  to  show  that  Jesus  is  the  Promised 
Messiah.     He  had  come  as  king  of  the  Jews  according  to  the 
prediction  of  the  Old  Testament,  but  the  Jewish  nation  had  re- 
jected him,  and  therefore,  they  themselves  were  rejected  from 
the  kingdom  of  heaven.     It  is  the  author's  aim  to  show  that  only 
those  who  have  the  new  life  in  Christ  are  heirs  of  the  kingdom. 

II.  MARK. 

i.  The  Author. — John  Mark  was  the  son  of  Mary,  at  whose  home 
the  early  Christians  assembled  for  prayer.  His  home  was  at  Je- 
rusalem, but  he  accompanied  Barnabas  and  Paul  on  the  first 
missionary  journey  but  turned  back  at  Perga.  Paul  refused  to 
take  him  on  the  second  journey,  but  he  went  with  Barnabas  to 
Cyprus.  Paul  and  Mark  were  afterwards  reconciled,  for  he  was 


24  NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY. 

with  Paul  during  his  first  imprisonment  (Col.  4: 10;  Philemon  24) 
and  during  his  second  imprisonment  Paul  wrote  to  Timothy  to 
bring  him  (2  Tim.  4:  n).  He  was  with  Peter  at  one  time  (i  Pet. 
5:13),  and  perhaps  much  of  the  time  Mark  was  brought  into 
close  touch  with  the  leaders  of  the  church  and  had  ample  oppor- 
tunity to  gather  the  facts  of  Christ's  life. 
a.  Date.— About  62  A.  D. 

3.  For  Whom  Written.— He   wrote  especially  for  the  Romans 
and  therefore  represents  Christ  as  the  Great  Conqueror,  in  har- 
mony with  the  Roman  idea. 

4.  Purpose. — Mark's  purpose  is  to  present  Jesus  as  the  Son  of 
God.    He  makes    the  miracles  prominent  in  order  to  prove 
Christ's  divine  power.    He  aims  to  present  Christ's  wonderful 
works  so  that  all  men  may  believe  on  him  as  the  Son  of  God. 

III.  LUKE. 

I.  The  Author. — Luke  was  a  physician  (Col.  4: 14)  who  was  with 
Paul  in  some  of  his  mission  work  and  remained  with  him  as  a 
constant  companion  during  his  imprisonment  at  Rome,  even, 
after  all  others  had  forsaken  him.  (2  Tim.  4:  n.) 

a.  Date.— About  63  A.  D. 

3.  For  Whom  Written.— It  is  addressed  to  Theophilus,  but  it  is 
evidently  intended  for  the  Greeks. 

4.  Purpose. — The  purpose  is  clearly  set  forth  in  the  preface  itself 
to  give  assurance  that  Christ  was  given  to  the  human  race  as  a 
Savior.    The  world-wide  character  of  Christianity  is  graphically 
set  forth.    The  genealogy  is  traced  to  Adam,  showing  Christ's 
relation  to  all  the  race,  not  to  a  special  family. 

IV.  JOHN. 

I.  Author. — John,  the  beloved  disciple  of  Jesus,  was  the  brother  of 
James  and  the  son  of  Zebedee  and  Salome.  He  was  a  disciple 
of  John  the  Baptist  and  was  one  of  the  first  followers  of  Jesus. 
He  was  a  fisherman  by  trade,  and  it  was  from  the  fishing  boat 
that  Jesus  called  him.  He  seems  to  have  been  admitted  to  a 
more  intimate  association  with  Christ  than  any  of  the  rest  and 
was  thus  fitted  to  write  the  most  spiritual  of  all  the  Gospels. 

a.  Date. — About  90  A.  D.,  near  the  close  of  his  life. 

3.  For  Whom  Written.— For  Christians  of  all  nations. 

4.  Purpose. — John  clearly  states  his  purpose  in  20:31,  "These  are 
written,  that  ye  might  believe  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY.  25 

God;  and  that,  believing,  ye  might  have  life  through  his  name." 
Life  through  believing  is  the  central  theme  of  this  Gospel. 

QUESTIONS. 

What  does  the  word  gospel  mean  ? 

What  are  the  first  three  books  called? 

When  and  by  whom  was  the  first  Gospel  written? 

For  whom  and  for  what  purpose  was  it  written? 

Who  was  the  author  of  the  second  Gospel,  and  what  can  you  say  of  him? 

What  does  he  represent  Christ  to  be? 

What  was  the  purpose  of  the  second  Gospel? 

Give  the  date  and  author  of  the  third  Gospel. 

For  whom  did  Luke  write? 

What  was  the  purpose  of  Luke  in  writing? 

What  is  said  o*  John,  the  author  of  the  fourth  book? 

Give  the  date  and  persons  to  whom  written. 

Purpose  of  John  in  writing  this  book? 

REVIEW. 

I.  Matthew. — i.  The  author — Matthew,  Levi,  a  tax-collector.  2. 
Date— Hebrew,  45  A.  D.;  Greek,  60  A.  D.  3.  For  whom  written— 
Jews.  4.  Purpose — Jesus  promised  Messiah. 

II.  Mark. — i.  Author — John  Mark.  2.  Date — 62  A.  D.  3.  For  whom 
written — Romans;  Christ  the  great  Conqueror.  4.  Purpose — Jesus, 
the  Son  of  God. 

HI.  Luke. — i.  Author — Luke,  a  physician.  2.  Date — 63  A.  D.  3.  For 
whom  written  —  Theophilus;  Greeks.  4.  Purpose — Jesus  the  Sav- 
ior. 

IV.  John. — i.  Author — John.  2.  Date — 90  A.  D.  3.  For  whom  writ- 
ten— all  nations.  4.  Purpose — life  through  believing. 


CHAPTER  II. — ACTS  AND  PAULINE  EPISTLES. 


I.  THE  ACTS.— This  book  is  the  Gospel  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  a 
record  of  what  the  Gospel  of  Christ  accomplished  during  the  first 
thirty  years  after  the  resurrection.  It  contains  a  history  of  the 
work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  sent  to  those  who  believe  in  a  risen  Re- 
deemer. 

1.  Author. — Luke,  the  Author  of  the  third  Gospel. 

2.  Date. — About  63  A.  D.,  probably  while  with  Paul  in  prison  at 
Rome. 

3.  For    Whom    Written. — Like  his  Gospel,  Luke    addresses 
Theophilus,  but  undoubtedly  writes  for  the  entire  church. 

4.  Purpose. — To  show  how  the  church  which  had  been  formed 
by  Christ  triumphed  over  all  obstacles,  separated  from  the 
Jewish  church  on  the  one  hand  and  from  the  world  on  the  oth- 
er. It  is  intended  to  show  the  principles  and  purposes  of  the 
church  of  Christ. 

II.  ROMANS. 

1.  Author. — Paul,  by  birth  a  Hebrew,  was  commissioned  to  be 
the  Apostle  to  the  Gentiles.     He  was  educated  under  Gama- 
liel, one  of  the  greatest  Jewish  teachers  at  Jerusalem.     Edu- 
cated as  a  Pharisee  and  one  very  zealous  for  the  law,  Paul  be- 
came a  persecutor  of  the  Christians.     He  was  suddenly  con- 
verted   when    on'  his  way  to  Damascus    to     persecute    the 
Christians,  and  in  Damascus  received   his   commission.    He 
made  three  missionary  journeys  in  Asia  and  Europe,  and  then 
was  taken  to  Rome  as  a  prisoner,  where  he  finally  suffered 
martyrdom. 

2.  Date. — This  epistle  was  written  at  Corinth  during  the  third 
missionary  journey,  about  58  A.  D. 

3.  For  Whom  Written.— Paul    wrote    for    the    Christians    at 
Rome,  whom  he  had  never  seen.     The  Christian  community 
at  Rome  was  composed  of  both  Jews  and  Gentiles,  and  Paul 
addresses  both  classes. 

4.  Purpose. — Paul  had  been  hindered  from  visiting  Rome  as  he 
had  intended,  feeling  it  necessary  to  return  to  Jerusalem  and 
if  possible    conciliate    the    Jewish    Christians    with    Gentile 
Christianity.     He  wrote  to  the  Romans  to  explain  his  delay 
and  to   prepare  them  for  the  visit  which  he   hoped  to  give 

(26) 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  27 

them  after  returning  to  Jerusalem.  But  Paul  did  not  know  but 
that  he  might  lose  his  life  by  going  to  Jerusalem,  or  at  least 
while  he  was  detained  he  feared  Judaizers  might  subvert  their 
faith  in  Christ  as  the  only  ground  of  justification  before  God, 
and  that  the  rejection  of  Israel  came  through  the  unbelief  of 
the  Jews. 

III.  FIRST  CORINTHIANS. 

1.  Author. — Paul. 

2.  Date. — About  57  A.  D.,  shortly  before  Paul  left  Ephesus  to 
make  a  second  visit  to  Corinth. 

3.  For  Whom   Written.  —  For  the  church  of  Corinth,  which 
Paul  had  founded  on  his  second  missionary  journey.    This 
church  consisted  of  both  Jews  and  Gentiles. 

4.  Purpose. — To  correct  the  disorders  that  had  arisen  in  the 
Corinthian  church,  to  give  advice  on  certain  questions  they 
had  written  about,  and  to  show  that  Christians  are  the  body  of 
Christ,  and  therefore  must  separate  themselves  from  the  pol- 
lutions of  the  world.     Paul  aimed  to  define  the  relation  which 
Christians  should  assume  toward  the  government,  religion  and 
society  of  the  heathen. 

IV.  SECOND  CORINTHIANS. 

1.  Author. — Paul. 

2.  Date. — About  57  A.  D.,  shortly  after  writing  First  Corinthians. 
He  wrote  while  in  Macedonia  on  his  way  to  Corinth. 

3.  For  Whom  Written.— The  Christians  at  Corinth. 

4.  Purpose. — After  sending  his  first  letter  it  seems  that  Paul 
himself  visited  Corinth  (12:14;  13:1)  and  found  schisms,  and 
Judaizing  teachers  and  heathen  moralists  in  the  church,  which 
he  sternly  rebukes  in  his  letter.    He  sent  Titus  to  learn  the 
effect  of  his  visit  and  his  first  letter,  and  leaving  Ephesus  he 
hoped  to  meet  Titus  with  news  from  Corinth.    Titus  failed  to 
come,  so  Paul  hastened  to  Macedonia  and  there  met  him  with 
encouraging  reports  from  Corinth.    There  Paul  wrote  this  let- 
ter expressing  his  joy  that  they  had  heeded  his  words  to  en- 
courage them  to  forsake  the  sins  of  the  world. 

V.  GALATIANS. 

1.  Author. — Paul. 

2.  Date. — The  date  of  writing  cannot  be    definitely  fixed,  but 
from  the  similarity  of  its  doctrine  to  that  of  Romans  it  is  gen- 


28  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

erally  concluded  that  it  was  written  about  the  same  time  from 
Corinth,  A.  D.  58. 

3.  For  Whom  Written.— For  the  churches  of  Galatia  which 
Paul  had  founded  on  his  second  journey  and  revisited  on  his 
third  journey. 

4.  Purpose. — At  first  they  received  the  word  with  great  enthusi- 
asm and  Paul  was  treated  as  an  angel  of  God;  but  Judaizing 
teachers  quickly  perverted  Paul's  teaching   and   drew  them 
away  from  the  Gospel  of  Christ  and   destroyed  their  confi- 
dence in  Paul.     Paul  writes  to  the  Galatians  to  refute  their 
false   teachings,  to  vindicate  his  own   apostleship,  to  bring 
them  back  to  the  Gospel  of  faith  in  Christ  and  to  admonish 
them  to  righteous  living. 

VI.  EPHESIANS. 

1.  Author. — Paul. 

2.  Date. — About  62  A.  D.,  during  Paul's  first  imprisonment  at 
Rome. 

3.  For  Whom  Written.— The  Epistle  is  addressed  to  the  saints 
at  Ephesus,  but  is  evidently  intended  for  all  Christians  in  that 
region.     It  was  probably  a  circular  letter  intended  for  all  the 
churches  of  Asia,  and  was  sent  to  the  capital  city  first. 

4.  Purpose. — To  show  that  Gentiles  and  Jews  are  to  be  united 
in  Christ.    This  union  is  spiritual,  holy  and  pure,  and  was 
God's  eternal  purpose. 

VII.  PHILIPPIANS. 
I.  Author. — Paul. 
3.  Date.— 62  A.  D. 

3.  For  Whom  Written.— For  the  saints  at  Philippi,  and  espe- 
cially for  the  bishops  and  deacons. 

4.  Purpose. — While  Paul  was  in  the  Roman  prison  the  Philip- 
pian  Christians  sent  Epaphroditus  with  a  generous  contribu- 
tion.    Epaphroditus  is  detained  by  serious  illness,  and  after 
his  recovery  Paul  writes  this  epistle  to  thank  them  for  their 
kindness  and  to  encourage  them  to  follow  the   example  of 
Christ,  who  in  his  humility  and  unselfishness  gave  himself  for 
others. 


VIII.  COLOSSIANS. 
i.  Author. — Paul, 
a.  Date.— About  62  A.  D. 


i.  Author — Paul. 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY.  2g 

3.  For  Whom  Written. — For  the  church  at  Colosse,  a  town  in 
Asia  Minor,  not  far  east  of  Ephesus.    Paul  had  not  founded 
this  church,  nor  had  he  visited  it,  but  he  was  interested  in  its 
welfare. 

4.  Purpose. — Epaphras,  a  minister  of  Colosse,  had  told  Paul  of 
Judaizers  and  Agnostic  philosophers  who  were  trying  to  sub- 
vert the  faith  of  the  Colossians.    Paul   sent  this    letter   to 
counteract  this  evil  influence.     He   aims  to  establish    their 
faith  in  Christ  as  the  Son  of  God  and  Creator  of  all  things. 
Paul's  purpose  is  to  strengthen  their  belief  in  Christ's  death  to 
redeem  man,  and  his  resurrection  to  be  head  of  the  church. 
The  Christian  is  a  new  creature  in  Christ. 

IX.  FIRST  THESSALONIANS. 
I.  Author. — Paul. 

a.  Date. — About  53  A.  D.,  while  Paul  was  at  Corinth  a  year  and 
a  half  on  his  second  missionary  journey. 

3.  For  Whom  Written. — To  the  church  at  Thessalonica,  in 
Macedonia.    This  church  was  composed  chiefly  of  Gentiles. 

4.  Purpose. — Paul  did  not  remain  long  at  Thessalonica  on  ac- 
count of  the  persecutions  of  the  Jews.    Paul  had  sent  Timothy 
to  instruct  them  about  the  Gospel,  and  when  Timothy  joined 
him  at  Corinth  with  a  good  report  of  their  faith  and  conduct 
Paul  wrote  this  letter  to  exhort  them  to  continue  in  the  regu- 
lar duties  of  life  and  not  wait  idly  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord. 
He  also  comforts  them  concerning  their  Christian  friends  who 
had  died,  assuring  them  that  they  are  safe. 

X.  SECOND  THESSALONIANS. 
i.  Author. — Paul. 
a.  Date.— About  54  A.  D.,  before  he  left  Corinth. 

3.  For  Whom  Written.— To  the  Thessalonian  Christians. 

4.  Purpose. — To  warn  them  of  the  coming  judgment  and  of  the 
increased  opposition  to  Christ,  and  to  exhort  Christians  to  give 
their  attention  to  the  ordinary  duties  of  life. 

XI.  FIRST  TIMOTHY. 
i.  Author. — Paul. 

a.  Date.— About  63  A.  D.,  during  Paul's  first  imprisonment  at 
Rome. 

3.  For  Whom  Written.— For  Timothy,  who  had  been  convert- 
ed under  Paul  and  had  accompanied  him  on  his  missionary 


3O  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

journeys,  and  who  was  at  this  time  located  at  Ephesus  as  eld- 
er in  charge. 

4.  Purpose. — To  give  directions  concerning  the  organization  and 
instruction  of  the  churches,  and  to  impress  the  importance  of 
teaching  the  Word. 

XII.  SECOND  TIMOTHY. 

1.  Author.— Paul. 

2.  Date.— About  67  A.  D.,  just  before  his  martyrdom. 

3.  For  Whom  Written. — For  Timothy,  the  young  bishop  at 
Ephesus. 

4.  Purpose. — Paul  expected  to  suffer    martyrdom    soon,    and 
wrote  this  farewell  letter  to  his  spiritual  son  Timothy,  exhort- 
ing him  to  be  faithful,  to  seek  the  promulgation  of  this  Gospel 
and  to  guard  against  false  teaching. 

XIII.  TITUS. 

1.  Author.— Paul. 

2.  Date. — About  64  A.  D.,  after  he  had  been  released  from  the 
first  imprisonment  at  Rome. 

3.  For  Whom  Written. — A  Gentile  convert  and  a  companion 
of   Paul's  in  his  missionary  labors.     It  was  written  to  Titus 
while  in  Crete,  having  charge  over  the  church. 

4.  Purpose. — To  give  Titus  instruction  concerning  the  disci- 
cipline  of  church  members,  and  to  exhort  Christians  to  live 
in  harmony  with  their  profession. 

XIV.  PHILEMON. 

1.  Author.— Paul. 

2.  Date. — 62  A.  D.,  during  Paul's  first  imprisonment  at  Rome;  at 
the  same  time  he  wrote  Colossians. 

3.  For  Whom  Written. — For  Philemon,  an  influential   Chris- 
tian at  Colosse. 

4.  Purpose. — To  intercede  for  Onesimus,  a  slave  of  Philemon's 
who  had  committed  some  wrong  and  fled  to  Rome.     He  had 
been  converted  under  Paul's  preaching,  and  Paul  entreats  for 
reconciliation  with  his  master.    The   deeper  purpose  is  to 
teach  that  social  rank  does  not  destroy  the  equality  in  Christ. 

XV.  HEBREWS. 

i .  Author. — The  authorship  is  not  ascribed  to  any  one.  Tradi- 
tion makes  Paul  the  author. 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  31 

2.  Date.— Probably  about  62  A.  D. 

3.  For  Whom  Written. — For  Hebrew  Christians  who  were  un- 
dergoing persecution  by  the  Jews  and  who  were  in  danger  of 
turning   from   Christianity  back   to  the  empty  formalism  of 
Judaism. 

4.  Purpose. — To  encourage  Christians  who  were  being  perse- 
cuted to  stand  fast  in  the  faith,  and  to  contrast  the  new  dis- 
pensation  of  peace  with  the  Old  Testament  dispensation  of 
law. 

QUESTIONS. 

What  period  of  time  is  covered  by  the  Acts? 

Give  the  author  of  this  book. 

Give  the  date  and  for  whom  written. 

What  was  the  purpose? 

Who  was  the  author  of  the  book  of  Romans? 

Where  was  it  written  and  to  what  people? 

Why  did  he  write  this  book  to  the  Romans? 

Where  was  Paul  when  he  wrote  First  Corinthians? 

What  was  his  purpose  in  writing? 

Give  the  date  of  both  epistles. 

Where  was  the  second  one  written? 

State  the  purpose  in  writing  Second  Corinthians. 

Where  is  Galatia? 

When  and  where  was  the  letter  written? 

For  whom  and  for  what  purpose  was  it  written? 

When  and  under  what  circumstances  was  Ephesians  written? 

For  whom  and  for  what  purpose? 

When  and  under  what  circumstances  was  Philippians  written?  . 

For  whom  and  for  what  purpose? 

When  and  by  whom  was  Colossians  written? 

Where  is  Colosse? 

Who  was  Epaphras? 

Why  did  Paul  write  the  letter? 

When  and  at  what  place  was  First  Thessalonians  written? 

How  did  Paul  know  of  the  condition  of  the  church? 

What  was  the  purpose  of  the  letter? 

When  and  where  did  Paul  write  the  second  letter? 

Give  the  purpose  of  Second  Thessalonians. 

Where  was  Paul  when  he  wrote  to  Timothy  the  first  time? 

What  was  his  aim  in  writing  this  letter? 

Under  what  circumstances  did  Paul  write  the  second  letter  to  Timothy? 

Where  was  Timothy  at  this  time? 


32  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

What  purpose  had  he  in  writing  the  second  letter? 

Where  was  Titus  when  Paul  wrote  to  him? 

Who  was  Titus? 

Why  was  the  letter  written? 

Give  date  and  place  of  the  writing  of  Philemon. 

What  is  the  purpose  of  this  letter? 

Did  Paul  write  Hebrews? 

When  and  for  whom  was  it  written? 

What  is  the  purpose  of  this  letter? 

REVIEW. 

I.  The  Acts. — i.  Author — Luke.    2.  Date — 63  A.  D.    3.  For  whom 
written — Theophilus;  entire    church.      4.  Purpose — to    show  the 
church's  triumph. 

II.  Romans. — i.  Author — Paul,  z  Date — 58  A.  D.    3.  To  whom  writ- 
ten— Christians  at  Rome.    4.  Purpose — prepare   Romans  for  his 
coming;  teach  justification  through  faith. 

III.  First  Corinthians.— i.  Author— Paul.    2.  Date— 57  A.  D.    3.  For 

whom  written — church  at  Corinth.    4.  Purpose — correct  disorder 
in  the  church. 

IV.  Second  Corinthians.  —  i.  Author — Paul.     2.  Date — 57   A.    D. 
3.  For  whom  written — Christians  at  Corinth,    4.  Purpose — to  cor- 
rect Judaizing  teachers. 

V.  Galatians.— i.  Author— Paul.    2.  Date— 58  A.  D.    3.  For  whom 
written — churches  of  Galatia.    4.  Purpose — correct  false  teachers. 

VI.  Ephesians.— i.  Author — Paul.  2.  Date— 62  A.  D.  3.  For  whom 
written — Ephesians;  all  Christians.  4.  Purpose — to  show  union  in 
Christ. 

VII.  Philippians.— i.  Author— Paul.  2.  Date— 62  A.  D.  3.  For  whom 
written  —  Philippians,  Bishops  and  Deacons.  4.  Purpose — to  ex- 
press gratitude  for  contribution  received. 

VIII.  Colossians.— i.  Author — Paul.  2.  Date — 62  A.  D.  3.  For  whom 
written — church  at  Colosse.  4.  Purpose — counteract  evil  influ- 
ence of  false  teachers. 

IX.  First  Thessalonians.— i.  Author— Paul.    2.  Date— about  53   A. 
D.    3.  For  whom  written — church  at  Thessalonica.    4.  Purpose — 
to  prepare  for  coming  of  the  Lord. 

X.  Second  Thessalonians.— i.  Author— Paul.     2.  Date— 54  A.  D. 
3.  For  whom  written — Thessalonian  Christians.    4.  Purpose — to 
warn  of  coming  judgment. 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


33 


XI.  First  Timothy — i.  Author— Paul.     2.  Date— 63  A.   D.    3.  For 

whom  written — Timothy.    4.  Purpose — to  show  importance  of  Bi- 
ble teaching. 

XII.  Second  Timothy.— i.  Author— Paul.  2.  Date— 67  A.  D.  3.  For 
whom  written— Timothy.  4.  Purpose — remain  faithful  under  per- 
secution. 

XIII.  Titus.— i.  Author — Paul.     2.  Date — 64  A.  D.     3.  For  whom  writ- 
ten— Gentile  convert.     4.  Purpose— exhorts  to  live  up  to  profes- 
sion. 

XIV.  Philemon.— i.  Author — Paul.     2.  Date — 62  A.  D.    3.  For  whom 
written— Philemon.    4.  Purpose— intercede  for  Onesimus. 

XV.  Hebrews.— i.  Author— Paul(?).  2.  Date — 62  A.  D.  3.  For  whom 
written — Hebrew  Christians.  4.  Purpose — Christian  faithfulness 
in  persecution. 


CHAPTER  III.— GENERAL  EPISTLES  AND 
REVELATION. 


I    JAMES. 

1.  Author. — James  the  first,  called  the  Lord's  brother.     He  was 
elder  of  the  church  in  Jerusalem  and  took  a  prominent  part  in 
the  council. 

2.  Date. — The  date  is  quite  uncertain,  but  from  its  Jewish  char- 
acter is  probably  the  earliest  of  the  epistles,  being  written 
about  45  A.  D. 

3.  For  Whom  Written — It  is  addressed  "  to  the  twelve  tribes 
which  are  scattered  abroad."     It  is  written  for  Hebrew  Chris- 
tians who  seemed  to  have  suffered  reverses  and  to  have  failed 
in  attaining  the  true  Christian  character. 

4.  Purpose. — To  exhort  to  a  manifestation  ot  faith  in  outward 
conduct.    The  doer  of  the  Word,  rather  than  the  hearer,  is 
commended. 

II.  FIRST  PETER. 

1.  Author. — Peter,  the  apostle  to  the  Jews.     His  other  name  was 
Simon.     He  was  one  of  the  earliest  followers  of  Jesus,  and  be- 
came one  of  the  twelve  apostles.     Impetuous  by  nature,   he 
often  made  mistakes,  but  was  quick  to  repent,  and  after  Pen- 
tecost became  one  of  the  most  powerful  preachers  of  the  Gos- 
pel.    He  was  the  apostle  to  the  Jews  as  Paul  was  the  apostle 
to  the  Gentiles. 

2.  Date. — It  is  uncertain,  but  probably  about  66  A.  D. 

3.  For  Whom  Written. — For  all  Christians  in  Asia  Minor,  in- 
cluding both  Jews  and  Gentiles. 

4.  Purpose. — To   give   assurance   to   the   Christians   who   were 
threatened  with  extreme  persecution  and  to  encourage  them 
to  glorify  God  even  during  severe  trial,  for  the  church  consti- 
tutes the  true  people  of  God. 

III.  SECOND  PETER. 

1.  Author. — Peter  the  apostle. 

2.  Date. — The  date  of  writing  is  not  fixed;  probably  shortly  be- 
fore the  author's  death,  about  67  A.  D. 

3.  For  Whom  Written. — It  is  a  catholic  letter,  addressed  to  all 
believers  in  Christ. 

(34) 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  35 

4.  Purpose.— To  warn  them  against  the  false  teachers  who  had 
entered  the  church  and  endangered  their  faith,  and  to  empha- 
size the  necessity  jof  Christian  growth. 

IV.  FIRST  JOHN. 

1.  Author. — The  apostle  John. 

2.  Date. — Probably  soon  after  he  had  written  his  Gospel,  about 
91  A.  D. 

3.  For  Whom  Written. — For  all  Christians;  but  John  probably 
had  especially  in  mind  the  Christians  in  Asia  Minor,  among 
whom  he  had  labored. 

4.  Purpose. — To  fit  his  readers  to  meet  the  false  doctrine  that 
seemed  to  be  springing  up  in  the  church  at  that  time.     He 
shows  them  clearly  that  those  who  are  in  Christ  will  grow  like 
Christ  in  character,  sinless  and  holy. 

V.  SECOND  JOHN. 

1.  Author. — The  apostle  John. 

2.  Date. — Probably  soon  after  the  first  epistle. 

3.  For  Whom  Written. — It  is  addressed    to   the    elect    lady, 
probably  a  Christian  widow  with  children,  but  the  letter  is  evi- 
dently intended  for  all  Christians. 

4.  Purpose. — To  keep  the  sons  of  this  woman,  who  were  walk- 
ing in  the  truth,  from  yielding  to  the  false  doctrine  of  heretical 
teachers.    John  aims  to  condemn  heresy  and  to  exhort  indi- 
vidual Christians  to  avoid  encouraging  false  doctrine. 

VI.  THIRD  JOHN. 

1.  Author. — The  apostle  John. 

2.  Date. — About  the  same  time  as  the  preceding. 

3.  For  Whom  Written.— It  is  addressed  to  Gaius,  but  is  of  a 
general  character. 

4.  Purpose. — The  apostle  had  sent  a  letter  to  this  church  com- 
mending certain  brethren  who  came  among  them  to  preach 
for  the  Gentiles,  but  his  letter  had  not  been  heeded  and  the 
authority  of  the  apostle  had  been  disregarded,  especially  by 
Diotrephes,  a  proud  leader  among  them.    The  apostle  writes 
this  letter  to  commend  Gaius  for  his  former  kindness  to  the 
brethren  and  urges  him  to  show  further  hospitality,  while  he 
bitterly  condemns  Diotrephes.     John  impresses  the  duty  of 
individual  Christians  to  manifest  love  and  hospitality  towards 
those  laboring  for  Christ. 


36  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

VII.  JUDE. 

1.  Author. — Jude,  not  the  apostle,  but  the  brother  of  James. 

2.  Date. — There  is  no  fixed  date,  but  internal  evidences  indicate 
that  it  was  written  before  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  in  70  A. 
D. 

3.  For  Whom  Written.— For  Jewish  Christians  in  Palestine. 

4.  Purpose. — It  was  written  in  a  time  when  gross  immoralities 
and  false  doctrines  had  come  into  the  church,  and  Jude  en- 
courages the  saints  to  contend  earnestly  for  the  faith  delivered 
by  the  apostles,  assuring  them  that  those  who  oppose  Christ 
must  suffer  severe  punishment. 

VIII.  REVELATION. 

1.  Author. — John  the  apostle. 

2.  Date. — during  John's  banishment  on  the  isle  of  Patmos,  about 
95  A.  D. 

3.  For  Whom  Written— It  is  addressed  to  the  seven  churches 
of  Asia,  but  its  application  is  general. 

4.  Purpose. — To   encourage   the   saints  who  were   undergoing 
severe  persecutions  to  look  beyond  the  present  conflicts  be- 
tween wickedness  and  righteousness. 

QUESTIONS. 

What  James  wrote  the  Epistle? 

Give  the  date  and  for  whom  it  was  written. 

What  special  aim  for  writing  this  book? 

What  is  said  of  Peter  as  the  author  of  these  two  books? 

When  were  they  written? 

To  whom  and  for  what  purpose? 

How  many  books  did  John  write? 

When  was  each  Epistle  written? 

For  whom  was  the  first,  the  second  and  the  third  written? 

Give  the  purpose  of  each  Epistle. 

Who  was  Gaius? 

Who  was  Jude? 

When  and  for  whom  did  he  write? 

For  what  purpose? 

Where  was  John  when  he  wrote  Revelation? 

For  whom  is  this  book  written? 

What  is  the  purpose  of  it? 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY.  37 

REVIEW. 

I.  James.— i.  Author — James.  2.  Date — 45  A.  D.  3.  For  whom 
written — twelve  tribes.  4.  Purpose — to  exhort  to  faithfulness. 

II.  First  Peter.— i.  Author  —  Peter,  apostle.  2.  Date— 66  A.  D. 
3.  For  whom  written — all  Christians.  4.  Purpose — to  trust  in  God 
through  trial. 

HI.  Second  Peter. — i.  Author — Peter.  2.  Date — 66  A.  D.  3.  For 
whom  written — all  believers.  4.  Purpose — show  necessity  of 
Christian  growth. 

IV.  First  John.— i.  Author — John, apostle.  2.  Date— 75  1085  A.  D. 
3.  For  whom  written — all  Christians.  4.  Purpose — To  defend 
against  false  teaching. 

V.  Second  John.— i.  Author— John.    2.  Date— 75  to  85  A.  D.    3.  For 

whom  written — all  Christians.    4.  Purpose — Christians  not  to  tol- 
erate false  doctrine. 

VI.  Third  John.  —  i.  Author — John,  apostle.  2.  Date — 75  1085  A.  D. 
3.  For  whom  written — Gaius,  of  general  character.  4.  Purpose — 
to  condemn  Gaius  and  show  hospitality. 

VII.  Jude. — i.  Author— Jude.  2.  Date — 70  A.  D.  3.  For  whom  writ- 
ten— Jewish  Christians.  4.  Purpose — exhorts  Christians  to  be 
earnest  in  the  true  doctrine  of  Christ. 

VIII.  Revelation.— i.  Author— John  the  apostle.  2.  Date— 95  A.  D. 
3.  For  whom  written — Seven  churches  of  Asia.  4.  Purpose — to 
look  to  the  future  for  the  reward  promised. 


PART  THREE.— The  Life  of  Christ. 


CHAPTER  I. — THE  PERIOD  OF  PREPARATION. 


From,  the  Annunciation  to  Zacharias,  B.  C.  6,  to  the  Baptism 
of  Jesus,  A.  D.   26  ;  32  Years. 

Jesus  was  actually  born  four  years  before  we  date  his  birth.  This 
error  in  the  chronology  is  due  to  a  mistake  of  Dionysius  Exiguus,  the 
monk  who  arranged  our  present  calendar  in  A.  D.  526.  He  dated  the 
birth  of  Christ  in  the  year  of  Rome  754,  but  Herod  the  Great,  who  mur- 
dered the  children  of  Bethlehem,  died  in  April  of  the  year  of  Rome  750. 
Jesus  must  have  been  born  several  months  before,  probably  in  Decem- 
ber 749  of  the  year  of  Rome.  Since  it  was  not  possible  to  correct  all 
records  and  books  scattered  over  the  world  after  the  mistake  was  dis- 
covered, the  system  has  been  retained  and  the  actual  date  of  Christ's 
birth  is  B.  C.  5. 


Year  of  Rome,  — 
Year  of  our  Lord,  . 

749 
B.  C.  5 

750 
B.  C.  4. 

75i 
B.  C.  3 

752 
B.C.  2 

753 
B.  C.i 

754 
A.  D.  i 

755 
A.D.2 

Age  of  Christ,  — 

Born  Dec.  25  (?) 

First 
year. 

Second 
year. 

Third 
year. 

Fourth 
year. 

Fifth 
year. 

Sixth 
year. 

I.  THE   ANNUNCIATION  TO   ZACHARIAS  (Luke  i: 
5-25). — When  the  reign  of  Herod  the  Great  was  drawing  to  a  close  there 
lived  in  the  hill  country  of  southern  Judea,  near  Hebron,  an  aged  couple 
of  priestly  descent,  both  blameless  and  devout  in  character.     But  they 
were  old  and  childless.     But  when  the  time  came  for  Zacharias  to  burn 
incense  at  the  Temple  in  Jerusalem  the  angel  Gabriel  announced  to  him 
that  Elizabeth  should  bear  a  son  whose  name  should  be  John,  and  he 
should  be  the  forerunner  of  the  Messiah.     Zacharias  doubted  and  be- 
came speechless  until  the  fulfillment  of  the  prophecy. 

II.  THE    ANNUNCIATION   TO    MARY   (Luke  i:  26-38). 
— In  the  sixth  month  the  angel  Gabriel  was  sent  to  Mary,  a  holy  virgin 
of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  who  lived  at  Nazareth,  and  announced  that  she 
should  become  the  mother  of  the  Son  of  God,  the  Messiah  of  Israel. 

III.  THE  VISIT  OF  MARY  TO  ELIZABETH  (Luke  i: 
39-56). — After  receiving  this  annunciation  Mary  immediately  set  out  to 
visit  her  cousin  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Zacharias.    Elizabeth  saluted  her 
as  the  mother  of  her  Lord  and  confirmed  the  annunciation  of  the  angel. 
Full  of  faith  and  assurance  that  her  son  should  be  the  Savior  of  Israel, 

(38) 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  3Q 

she  burst  forth  into  words  of  praise  and  gave  utterance  to  her  wonderful 
prayer  song. 

IV.  THE   ANNUNCIATION    TO  JOSEPH    (Matt,  i:  18- 
25). — In  a  dream  an  angel  appeared  to  Joseph,  to  whom  Mary  was  be- 
trothed, bidding  him  to  take  Mary  for  his  wife,  and  to  call  her  son  Jesus, 
for  he  should  save  his  people  from  their  sins. 

V.  THE  BIRTH  OF  JOHN  THE  BAPTIST  (Luke  1:57 
-80). — The  promise  to  Zacharias  was  fulfilled  and  a  son  was  born  to  him. 
The  relatives  proposed  that  the  child  should  bear  his  father's  name,  but 
Elizabeth  declared  that  his  name  should  be  John.     They  appealed   to 
Zacharias  and  he  wrote  on  a  tablet  that  his  name  was  John,  and  sudden- 
ly his  speech  was  restored.    Then  he  burst  forth  in  a  psalm  of  thanks- 
giving and  prophesied  of  his  son's  future  greatness  as  forerunner  of  the 
Messiah.    The  child  grew  and  remained  faithful  to  his  Nazarite  vow, 
drinking  neither  wine  nor  strong  drink  and  denying  himself  of  even  the 
ordinary  comforts  of  life. 

VI.  THE    BIRTH   OF  JESUS  (Luke  2:  1-7).  — Joseph  and 
Mary  lived  at  Nazareth,  but  according  to   the  sure  word   of  prophecy 
(Micah  5:  2)  the  child  was  born  in   Bethlehem.     Augustus  Caesar  had 
issued  a  decree  that  all  the  world  should  be  taxed.    Joseph  and  Mary 
went  to  Bethlehem  of  Judea,  to  be  enrolled,  a  city  of  the  tribe  of  Judah 
to  which  tribe  they  belonged.     The  inn  was  crowded  with  strangers  and 
they  were  forced  to  seek  shelter  in  the  stable,  where  Jesus  was  born  and 
laid  in  a  manger. 

VII.  THE   ANGELS  AND  THE   SHEPHERDS  (Luke 
•2:  8-20). — There  was  no  lack  of  heralds  to  carry  the  good  news  of  a  Sav- 
ior's advent  into  the  world.    On  the  very  night  of  his  birth  an  angel  of 
the  Lord  appeared  to  the  shepherds  who  were  keeping  watch  over  their 
flocks  on  the  hills  about  Bethlehem  and  announced  the  tidings  of  the 
birth  of  the  Savior.     Then  a  multitude  of  the  heavenly  host  joined  in  the 
song  of  "  glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace,  good  will 
toward    men."      Immediately  the  shepherds  left   their  flocks  and  has- 
tened to  the  village  where  they  found  and  worshiped  the  child,  and  re- 
turned to  their  flocks  praising  God  for  all  they  had  seen  and  heard,  and 
went  and  reported  the  tidings  to  the  people. 

VIII.  THE  CIRCUMCISING   AND   NAMING  (Luke  2: 
21). — When  Jesus  was  eight  days  old  he  was  circumcised  according  to 
the  Jewish  Law  and  named  Jesus,  meaning  Savior. 

IX.  THE  PRESENTATION  IN  THE  TEMPLE  (Luke 
2:  22-38).— When  Jesus  was  forty  days  old,  Joseph  and  Mary  took  him 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


to  the  temple  to  present  the  child  to  the  Lord  and  make  the  offerings  of 
a  pair  of  turtle  doves.  Simeon,  a  devout  and  just  man,  who  had  been 
told  that  he  should  not  die  until  his  eyes  had  seen  the  Lord's  Christ,  was 
led  to  the  temple  by  the  Spirit,  and  when  he  saw  Jesus  he  took  him  up 
in  his  arms  and  praised  God  that  he  had  been  permitted  to  see  his  sal- 
vation. At  the  same  time  the  aged  prophetess,  Anna,  came  forward,  and 
when  she  beheld  the  holy  child  she  also  gave  thanks  for  the  child^who 
should  bring  redemption  to  Jerusalem. 

X.  THE   VISIT  OF   THE   WISE    MEN  (Matt.  2:  1-12).— 
But  Jesus   received   a  welcome   from   Gentiles  as  well   as   from  Jews. 
Guided  by  the  star,  the  wise  men  from  the  east  came  to  Jerusalem  to  in- 
quire of  Herod  concerning  the  King  of  the  Jews.     Herod  was  alarmed 
and  bade  the  chief  priests  and  scribes  look  into  the  records,  and  they 
found  the  passage  that  declared  Bethlehem  of  Judah  to  be  the  place. 
In  his  attempt  to  conceal  his  evil  intentions  he  told  the  wise  men  to  seek 
the  child,  and  if  they  found  him  he  would  also  come  and  worship  him. 
The  wise  men  were  directed  to  the  house  where  the  child  was  by  the 
star,  and  after  worshiping  him  and  laying  rich  gifts  before  him  and  be- 
ing warned  of  God  not  to  return  to  Herod,  they  went  to  their  land  by 
another  route. 

XI.  THE  FLIGHT  TO  EGYPT  (Matt.  2: 13-18).— The  same 
night  Joseph  was  warned  in  a  dream  of  the  evil  intentions  of  Herod,  and 
taking  the  child  and  his  mother  they  fled  to  Egypt.     Herod,  vexed  that 
the  wise  men  had  frustrated  his  design  against  the  child's  life,  slew  all 
the  male  children  under  two  years  of  age  in  Bethlehem,  hoping  in  this 
way  to  get  rid  of  the  rival  king. 

XII.  JOURNEY     TO     NAZARETH     AND    EARLY 
YEARS    (Matt.  2:  19-23;  Luke  2:  39,  40). — Herod  soon  died,  and  the 

angel  bade  Joseph  return  with 
the  child  and  his  mother.  They 
started  on  their  journey,  but 


when  they  came  into  Judea  they 
heard  that  Archelaus,  Herod's 
son,  was  reigning,  and  they 
were  afraid;  but  at  the  bidding 
of  the  Lord  they  went  down  to 
Nazareth,  and  there  the  child 
grew  in  body,  mind  and  spirit. 


NAZARETH. 


XIII.  THE  VISIT  TO  JERUSALEM  (Luke  2:  41-50).— It 
was  the  custom  of  Joseph  and  Mary  to  attend  the  Passover  every  year. 
When  Jesus  was  twelve  years  old  he  accompanied  them.  After  the 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


feast  they  started  home  with  a  great  company  of  pilgrims,  but  the  first 
evening  they  failed  to  find  Jesus  in  the  company,  and  they  immediately 
returned  to  Jerusalem  to  seek  him.  On  the  third  day  they  found  him  in 
the  temple  with  the  learned  doctors,  hearing  them  and  asking  them 
questions  so  that  they  marveled  at  his  wisdom.  His  parents  were  sur- 
prised to  find  him  among  these  wise  rabbis,  and  his  mother  reproved 
him  for  causing  them  so  much  anxiety  by  his  absence.  Jesus  told  them 
"that  he  must  be  about  his  father's  business."  His  mother  kept  these 
sayings  in  her  heart,  and  Jesus  went  with  them  to  Nazareth. 

XIV.  THE   EIGHTEEN   YEARS  OF  SILENCE  (Luke 
2:  51,  52). — These  are  obscure  years.     We  know  only  that  he  lived  in 
Nazareth  and  was  subject  to  his  parents,  while  he  developed  in  body 
and  soul,  preparing  for  his  public  work. 

XV.  THE     BEGINNING     OF    JOHN'S     MINISTRY 

(Matt.  3:  1-12;  Mark  i:  1-8;  Luke  3:  1-18). — 
While  Jesus  was  still  in  retirement  at  Naza- 
reth, John  the  Baptist  had  begun  to  prepare 
the  way  for  the  Messiah.  He  preached  the 
doctrine  of  repentance  and  baptized  the  peo- 
ple in  the  Jordan.  Great  crowds  of  people, 
Pharisees  and  Sadducees,  rich  and  poor,  lis- 
tened to  his  preaching  and  sought  baptism  at 
his  hands.  Some  thought  John  was  the  Mes- 
siah, but  he  replied  that  he  was  only  a  voice 
in  the  wilderness  preparing  the  way  for  a 
mightier  One  who  would  baptize  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire. 

XVI.  THE    BAPTISM   OF  JESUS  (Matt.  3:13-17;  Mark 
1:9-11;  Luke  3:  21,  22.)— After  John  had  been   preaching  about  six 
months,  Jesus  came  to  Bethabara  and  desired  to  be  baptized.    John  hes- 
itated to  baptize  one  who  was  'greater  and  holier  than  himself,  but  at 
Christ's  word  he  suffered  it  to  fulfill  all  righteousness.    After  John  had 
baptized  him,  Jesus  was  praying,  and  he  received  the  threefold  testi- 
mony of  his  divine  Sonship: 

1.  The  opening  of  the  heavens. 

2.  The  descent  of  the  Spirit  in  the  form  of  a  dove. 

3.  The  voice  of  the  Father  saying,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son." 

QUESTIONS. 

Give  the  opening  and  closing  date  of  this  period. 
When  was  Jesus  born? 
From  what  do  we  reckon  his  birth? 
Who  was  Zacharias? 


42  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

Where  did  Elizabeth  live? 

Where  was  the  announcement  made  to  Joseph? 
What  did  the  relatives  desire  to  name  John? 
What  self-denials  were  made? 

Where  and  under  what  circumstances  did  the  angel  make  the  announce- 
ment? 

Why  did  Zacharias  become  speechless? 
How  long  after  this  was  the  announcement  made  to  Mary? 
Who  announced  the  tidings  of  the  birth  of  Jesus? 
Where  was  Jesus  born? 

Why  did  Joseph  and  Mary  go  to  Bethlehem? 
What  was  the  song  of  the  angels? 
What  did  the  shepherds  do? 
What  does  the  word  Jesus  mean? 

How  old  was  Jesus  when  he  was  presented  in  the  temple? 
What  offerings  were  made? 
Who  had  waited  at  the  temple  and  why? 
Where  were  the  wise  men  from? 
What  was  their  mission? 
What  warning  was  given  them? 
What  was  Herod's  purpose  in  making  the  decree? 
Why  did  they  leave  Egypt?    . 
Why  go  to  Nazareth? 

How  old  was  Jesus  when  he  was  at  the  temple  the  second  time? 
What  happened  on  their  return  home? 
How  long  was  Jesus  away  at  this  time? 
What  surprised  them? 
How  long  time  is  spent  in  silence? 
Who  was  sent  to  prepare  the  way  for  Jesus? 
What  was  his  sermon? 

How  long  was  John  preaching  before  Jesus  was  baptized? 
What  is  the  threefold  testimony  of  the  divine  Sonship? 
Locate  each  event  of  this  period. 
Draw  map  and  trace  journeys  of  Jesus. 


CHAPTER  II.— THE  PERIOD  OF  INAUGURATION. 


From  the  Baptism   of  Jesus,    December,  A .  D.   26,  to  the   Healing  of 
the  Nobleman  s  Son,  February,  A.  D.  28 ;   /j  Months. 

I.  THE  TEMPTATIONS  OF  JESUS   (Mark  i:  12.  13).— 
Immediately  after  his  baptism  the  Spirit  led  Jesus  into  the  wilderness  to 
be  tempted  of  the  devil.    He  remained  there  forty  days  without  food  and 
in  solitude,  save  for  the  wild  beasts  that  were  there.    This  threefold 
temptation  fitted  the  Savior  for  his  work  among  the  tempted  children  of 
men. 

1.  The  First  Temptation  (Matt.  4:  1-4;  Luke  4: 1-4).— When  Jesus 
was  weak  from  hunger  Satan  suggested  that  if  he  was  the  Son  of  God 
he  should  command  the  stones  to  be  bread.    Jesus  at  once  detected  the 
subtle  temptation  to  mistrust  his  Father  and  was  ready  to   meet  the 
tempter  with  the  Word  of  God:  "It  is  written,  Man  shall  not  live  by 
bread  alone,  but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of 
God."     The  first  temptation,  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  was  overcome. 

2.  The  Second  Temptation  (Matt.  4:  5-7;  Luke  4: 9-13).— Foiled  in 
his  attempt  to  create  distrust  in  the  Savior,  Satan  tries  to  tempt  him 
through  this  very  trust  in  God's  Word.    Through  the  lust  of  the  eye,  he 
presents  the  temptation  of  securing  power  over  others,  by  casting  him- 
self from  the  Temple,  trusting  the  angels  to  bear  him  up.     But  Jesus  is 
equal  to  this  temptation  and  again  meets  him  with  the  written  Word: 
"Thou  shalt  not  tempt  the  Lord  thy  God." 

3.  The  Third   Temptation   (Matt.  4:    8-11;    Luke   4:   5-8).— The 
tempter  sought  to  achieve  a  victory  over  him  by  taking  him  into  a  high 
mountain  and  showing  him  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth  and  the  glory 
thereof,  if  only  he  would  fall  down  and  worship  him.     But  Jesus  turned 
to  the  written  Word  the  third  time  and  quoted,  "Thou  shalt  worship  the 
Lord  thy  God,  and  him  only  shalt  thou  serve."    And  with  this  assault 
Satan  left  him  and  the  angels  came  and  ministered  unto  him.    Jesus  had 
proved  himself  able  to  overcome  the  temptations  of  Satan  and  was  thus 
enabled  to  succor  those  who  are  tempted. 

II.  JOHN'S  TESTIMONY  BEFORE   PRIESTS   AND 
LEVITES  (John  i:  19-28). — While  Jesus  was  in-  the  wilderness  John 
continued  his  preaching  and  baptizing  at  the  Jordan,  and  in  answer  to 
the  delegates  sent  from  Jerusalem  testified  that  he  was  not  the  Christ, 
but  that  he  was  making  straight  the  path  for  the  One  coming  after  him. 

(43) 


44  NEW   TESTAMENT  HISTORY. 

III.  JESUS  DECLARED  THE  LAMB  OF   GOD   (John 
i:  29-34). — The  next  day  after  testifying  to  the  priests  and  Levites,  John 
saw  Jesus  coming  and  he  declared  to  those  standing  by  that  he  was  the 
Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world,  and  referred  to  the 
testimony  of  the  Spirit  at  his  baptism. 

IV.  THE    FIRST    DISCIPLES    (John  i:  35-42).— Again  the 
next  day,  when  standing  with  two  of  his  own  disciples,  he  pointed  out 
Jesus  as  the  Lamb  of  God,  and  these  two  disciples,  Andrew  and  John, 
followed  Jesus,  and  at  the  Savior's  bidding  abode  with  him  the  rest  of 
the  day.    Andrew  then  brought  his  brother  Simon  to  Jesus,  and  Jesus 
named  him  Peter,  the  Rock. 

V.  PHILIP  AND  NATHANAEL  (John  1:43-51).— The  next 
day  Jesus  with  his  three  disciples  started  towards  Galilee  and  finding 
Philip  bade  him  join  them.     Philip  d;d  so,  and  afterwards  brought  Na- 
thanael,  the  Israelite  without  guile  unto  Jesus,  and  he  too  became  one  of 
his  followers. 

VI.  THE  FIRST  MIRACLE   (John  2:  1-12).— Jesus  and  his 
five  disciples  were  invited  to  a  wedding  in  Canaand  the  mother  of  Jesus 
was  also  there.    At  this  marriage  feast  Jesus  performed  his  first  miracle. 
The  wine  was  exhausted  and  the  mother  of  Jesus  called  his  attention  to 
the  fact.    He  then  bade  the  servants  to  fill  the  waterpots  with  water,  and 
when  they  drew  out,  the  wine  was  the  best  they  had  tasted.    This  mira- 
cle confirmed  the  faith  of  his  disciples  and  manifested  his  glory  that 
had  been  hidden.     At  the  close  of  the  feast  Jesus  with  his  mother,  breth- 
ren and  disciples  withdrew  to  Capernaum,  where  they  stayed  a  few  days. 

VII.  THE  FIRST   CLEANSING   OF    THE    TEMPLE 

(John  2:  13-22). — When  Passover  time  drew  near  Jesus  and  his  disciples 
went  to  Jerusalem.  They  found  the  Temple  a  desecrated  place  for 
merchants  with  animals  for  sacrifice,  incense  and  holy  oil  had  set  up  a 
market  in  the  precincts  of  the  temple.  Money  changers  had  their  tables 
also  in  the  court  of  the  Temple  and  the  sanctuary  of  God  had  been  con- 
verted into  a  place  of  merchandise.  When  Jesus  beheld  this  desecra- 
tion he  made  a  scourge  of  small  cords  and  drove  out  the  sheep  and  oxen. 
Then  overturning  the  tables  of  the  money  changers  he  dismissed  all  the 
desecrators,  and  in  answer  to  the  demand  of  the  Jews  for  a  sign,  he  said, 
"Destroy  this  temple  and  in  three  days  I  will  raise  it  again;"  but  the 
Jews  did  not  understand  his  meaning. 

VIII.  THE    INTERVIEW  WITH    NICODEMUS   (John 
2:   23-25;  3:    I,    21). — Jesus  during  the  Passover  wrought  many  mira- 
cles, and  many  believed  on  him.    Among  these  was  Nicodemus,  a  Phar- 
isee, a  member  of  the  Sanhedrim,  who  came  to  Jesus  by  night  to  learn 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  45 

who  he  was  that  he  could  perform  such  wonders.  Jesus  graciously  re- 
ceived him  and  taught  him  the  mystery  of  the  new  birth,  which  is  neces- 
sary before  entering  the  kingdom  of  God  and  inheriting  everlasting 
life. 

IX.  CHRIST  BAPTIZING  IN  JUDE A  (John  3:22).— After 
the  Passover  feast  Jesus  with  his  disciples  tarried  eight  months  in  Judea, 
where  he  soon  drew  many  followers,  and  where  his  disciples  baptized. 

X.  JOHN'S  TESTIMONY  OF  CHRIST  (John  3:  23-36).— 
John  the  Baptist  still  continued  his  preaching  and  baptizing  along  the 
Jordan,  not  far  from  where  Christ  was  working  in  Judea.    John's  disci- 
ples began  to  notice  the  decrease  in  the  multitudes  that  used  to  flock 
about  their  master  and  they  reminded  John  of  the  fact.     But  John,  with 
true  greatness,  declared  that  "he  must  decrease  and  Christ  must  in- 
crease." 

XI.  THE  DEPARTURE  FROM  JUDEA  (John  4:  1-3).— 
But  when  Jesus  learned  of  the  envy  of  John's  disciples  he  immediately 
ceased  his  work  in  Judea  and  set  out  for  Galilee. 

XII.  THE  CONVERSATION  WITH  THE  SAMARI- 
TAN WOMAN  (John  4:  4-26). — Jesus  passed  through  Samaria  on  his 
return  to  Galilee  and  when  he  drew  near  the  city  of  Sychar  he  found  Ja- 
cob's well,  and  weary  with  his  long  journey  he  sat  on  the  curbstone  to  rest 
while  his  disciples  went  into  the  city  to  buy  bread.    While  he  sat  there 
alone  a  woman  of  Samaria  came  to  draw  water  and  Jesus  asked  a  drink 
of  her.    Surprised  that  he,  a  Jew,  should  ask  a  drink  of  her,  a  Samaritan, 
she  asked  how  it  was  that  he  should  make  such  a  request  of  her,  since 
the  Jews  had  no  dealings  with  the  Samaritans.    Jesus  then  offered  her 
the  living  water,  but   she  did   not  understand  what  this  living  water 
meant.    Jesus  then  revealed  her  sins,  and  she  was  convinced  that  he 
must  be  some  great  prophet  and  she  instantly  appealed  to  him  to  settle 
the  question  in  regard  to  the  place  of  worship — whether  in  Mt.  Gerizim 
where  stood  the  Samaritan  temple  or  in  Jerusalem  where  the  Jews  wor- 
shiped.    Jesus  told  her  that  acceptable  worship  was  not  at  any  par- 
ticular place,  but  wherever  true  worshipers  worshiped  in  spirit   and  in 
truth,  and  declared  himself  the  Messiah. 

XIII.  THE  SAMARITAN  CONVERTS  (John  4:  27-42).— 
When  the  disciples  returned  they  were  surprised  to  find  their  Master 
talking  with  the  woman.     Meanwhile  the  woman  herself  left  her  water- 
pot  and  went  into  the  city  and  told  the  people  of  the  marvelous  one  at 
the  well.    Jesus  told  his  disciples  that  the  fields  were  white  already  for 
the  harvest,  and  soon  the  woman  brought  many  of  the  Samaritans  out, 


46 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


who  besought  Jesus  to  remain,  and  he  remained  two  days  with  them, 
and  many  believed  that  he  was  indeed  the  Savior  of  the  world. 

XIV.  THE  IMPRISONMENT  OF  JOHN  THE  BAP- 
TIST (Matt.  4:  12;  Mark  i: 
14,  15;  Luke  3:  19,  20;  John 
4:  43-45). — At  this  time  Her- 
od Antipas  reigned  over 
Galilee  and  Perea.  He  cast 
John  the  Baptist  into  prison, 
because  he  had  reproved 
him  for  his  alleged  marriage 
with  his  brother's  wife,  and 
for  other  evils.  The  prison 
was  in  the  Castle  Macherus 
near  the  head  of.  the  Dead 
Sea,  where  Herod  lived  part 


of  the  time.  When  Jesus 
learned  of  this  imprisonment 
he  immediately  departed  in- 
to Galilee. 


CROWNED  Pious 

CRUEL  FAITHFULL 

HEARTLESS  STRONG 

OBSTINATE  RIGHTEOUS 

LOST  CimwNED 


XV,  HEALING  THE  NOBLEMAN'S  SON  (John  4:  46- 
54). — When  Jesus  came  to  Cana  a  nobleman  of  Capernaum  besought 
him  to  come  to  Capernaum  to  heal  his  son  who  lay  at  the  point  of  death. 
Jesus  sent  him  away,  assuring  him  that  his  son  was  healed,  and  when  the 
nobleman  returned  he  found  the  fever  had  left  him  in  the  very  hour  that 
Jesus  had  spoken  the  words  of  healing. 

QUESTIONS. 

Name  the  events  of  this  period. 

How  much  time  is  covered  by  this  period? 

Who  led  Jesus  into  the  wilderness? 

How  long  was  he  tempted? 

What  are  the  three  temptations? 

How  did  he  meet  each  temptation? 

What  is  meant  by  each? 

What  was  John's  testimony  before  priests  and  Levites? 

Who  declared  Jesus  the  "  Lamb  of  God  "  ? 

Who  called  him  the  "  Lamb  of  God  "  ? 

Name  the  first  disciples. 

Who  brought  Peter  to  Jesus? 

Name  the  fourth  and  the  fifth  disciple,  and  who  found  them? 

What  is  the  first  miracle? 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  47 

What  was  the  purpose  of  this  miracle? 

When  did  Jesus  cleanse  the  temple  the  first  time? 

What  had  they  been  doing  in  the  temple? 

What  is  meant  by  "  destroy  this  temple,  and  in  three  days  I  will  raise 

it"? 

Who  was  Nicodemus? 
What  special  teaching  did  Jesus  give? 
How  long  was  Jesus  in  Judea? 
Where  was  John's  testimony  of  Jesus? 
How  were  John's  disciples  affected  by  the  work  of  Jesus? 
Why  did  Jesus  go  into  Galilee? 
Where  did  he  talk  with  the  Samaritan  woman  ? 
What  did  he  teach  her? 
What  did  she  teach  her  people? 
Where  and  why  was  John  the  Baptist  imprisoned? 
Where  was  he  imprisoned? 
What  was  the  second  miracle  at  Cana? 
Draw  map,  locate  events  and  trace  journey  of  Jesus. 


CHAPTER  III. — THE  EARLY  GALILEAN  MINISTRY. 


From  the  Healing  of  the  Nobleman  s  Son,  February,  A.  D.  28,  to  the 

Choosing  of  the  Twelve  Apostles,  June  A .  D. 

28 ;  4  Months. 

I.  THE  FIRST  REJECTION    AT   NAZARETH   (Luke 
4: 14-30). — Jesus  very  naturally  turned  to  his  old  home  at  Nazareth  when 
he  came  into  Galilee.    On  the  Sabbath  he  went  into  the  synagogue  as 
was  his  custom.     He  stood  up  to  read  that  day  and  read  from  the  sixty- 
first  chapter  of  Isaiah  which  all  Jews  believed  referred  to  the  Messiah. 
Jesus  fearlessly  declared  that  this  prophecy  was  fulfilled."  Jesus  was 
anointed  and  sent  to  save  and  comfort  humanity.    At  first  they  heard 
his  gracious  words  gladly,  but  when  they  recalled  his  lowly  origin  and 
when  he  intimated  that  God's  mercy  was  not  limited  to  the  Jews,  they 
thrust  him  out  of  the  synagogue,  and  leading  him  out  to  the  brow  of  the 
hill  they  would  have  cast  him  down,  but  he  quietly  escaped  from  their 
hands. 

II.  THE  REMOVAL  TO  CAPERNAUM  (Matt.  4: 13-17). 
— Having  been  rejected  in  his  own  village,  Jesus  removed  to  Capernaum 
on  the  northwest  shore  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee  and  made  it  the  center  of 
his  work  in  Galilee, 

III.  THE  CALL  OF  THE  FOUR  (Matt.  4:18-22;  Mark  i: 
16-20;  Luke  5:  I-H). — Jesus  taught  the  people  at  Capernaum,  and  one 
day  as  he  was  teaching  by  the  seashore  he  told  Simon  to  push  out  the 
boat  a  little  further,  and  he  taught  the  people   from  the  boat.     Then 
they  launched  out  into  deep  water  and  Jesus  told  Simon  to  cast  out  the 
net,  and  though  they  had  hitherto  caught  nothing,  this  time  they  caught 
so  many  fish  that  the  net  began  to  break.     Simon  and  Andrew  beckoned 
to  James  and  John,  who  were  in  another  boat,  to  help,  and  both  boats 
were  filled  so  that  they  began  to  sink.-  Jesus  then  bade  the  four  fisher- 
men,  Simon,  Andrew,  James  and  John  leave  their  fishing,  follow  him 
and  become  fishers  of  men. 

IV.  THE  DAY  OF   MIRACLES  (Matt.  8:14-17;  Mark   i: 
21-31;    Luke   4:31-41). — Jesus  is  found  on  the  Sabbath  day  teaching  in 
the   synagogue  at   Capernaum,  and   he   astonished   the  people  at  his 
doctrine  and  power.     In  this  synagogue  in  Capernaum  he  cast  out  an 
unclean  spirit,  which  was  reported  and  brought  many  to  see  him.     Pe- 
ter's wife's  mother  lay  sick  with  a  fever,  and  when  he  touched  her  hand 
the  fever  left  her.     The  same  Sabbath  evening  after  sunset  many  were 

(48) 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  49 

brought  to  Jesus  to  be  healed  because  the  Jews  felt  the  Sabbath  was 
past  and  it  was  right  to  work.  Many  bore  testimony  at  this  time  that  he 
was  Christ. 

V.  THE  FIRST  PREACHING  TOUR  (Matt. 8:  2-4;  Mark 
1:35-45;  Luke  4:42-44;  5:12-16). — Very  early  in  the  morning  after  this 
busy  day  Jesus  withdrew  to  a  solitary  place  where  he  might  rest  and  pray. 
But  Simon  and  others  followed  him,  beseeching  him  to  return,  for  all 
people  were  seeking  him.     But  Jesus  insisted  that  he  must  also  preach  in 
other  cities,  and  he  started  on  a  tour  through  eastern  Galilee.    Among 
the  many  that  he  healed  and  blessed  was  a  leper  who  came  and  wor- 
shiped, begging  to  be  healed.    Jesus  touched  the  man  and  he  was  healed 
from  his  leprosy.    At  Jesus'  word  he  presented  himself  to  the  priests  and 
made  the  offerings  required  by  the  Law  when  one  was  healed  of  leprosy. 
The  one  that  was  healed  went  forth  and  reported  this  to  many,  and  they 
came  in  great  numbers  to  see  Jesus. 

VI.  THE  PARALYTIC  BORNE  OF  FOUR   (Matt.  9:1- 
8;  Mark  2:1-12;  Luke   5:17-26). — When  Jesus  returned  to  Capernaum 
crowds  pressed  into  the  house  where  he  was  teaching.     Four  men  came 
with  a  paralytic  on  a  litter,  and  not  being  able  to  enter  the  door  on  ac- 
count of  the  crowd  they  took  the  man  up  the  outside  staircase  and  let 
him  down  through  the  roof  into  Jesus'  presence.     Jesus  saw  their  faith 
and  immediately  said,  "Thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee."     'i his  aroused  the 
anger  of  the  Pharisees  and  they  accused  him  of  blasphemy,  but  Jesus, 
undisturbed  by  their  murmuring,  bade  the  man  take  up  his  bed  and 
walk,  and  immediately  he  was  restored. 

VII.  THE  CALL  OF  MATTHEW  AND  HIS  FEAST 

(Matt.  9:9-13;  Mark  2: 13-17;  Luke  5:  27-32). — One  day  as  Jesus  walked 
along  the  sea  he  saw  Matthew  at  the  port  of  Capernaum  sitting  at  the 
receipt  of  custom.  Although  he  belonged  to  a  despised  class,  Jesus 
called  him  to  leave  all  and  follow  him.  Matthew  obeyed  and  soon  after 
made  a  feast  to  which  he  invited  Jesus  and  many  of  his  old  associates. 
The  Pharisees  found  fault  with  Jesus  for  sitting  with  publicans  and  sin- 
ners, but  Jesus  told  them  that  he  had  not  come  to  call  the  righteous  to 
repentance. 

VIII.  THE  QUESTION    ABOUT    FASTING   (Matt.    9: 
14-17;  Mark  2:18-22;  Luke  5:33-39). — Soon  after  the  call  of  Matthew 
some  disciples  of  John  and  the  Pharisees  came  to  Jesus  asking  why  his 
disciples  did  not  fast.    He  replied  that  so  long  as  the  bridegroom  was 
with  them  they  could  not  fast.    Fasting  would  be  as  unfitting  as  putting 
a  new  patch  on  an  old  garment,  or  new  wine  into  old  bottles. 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


IX.  THE    INFIRM    MAN    AT   THE    POOL    OF    BE- 
THESDA   (John   5:1-47).— The    time   for    the    second   Passover    of 
Christ's  ministry  drew  near,  and  Jesus  with  his  disciples  went  up    to 
Jerusalem  to  attend  the  feast.     When  they  came  to  the  pool  of  Bethes- 
da  they  found  many  sick  people  waiting  for  the  troubling  of  the  waters 
that  they  might  step  into  the  waters  and  be  healed.    Among  them  was 
a  man  who  had  been  lame  for  thirty-eight  years.    Jesus  bade  him  take 
up  his  bed  and  walk,  and  with  the  word  he  was  healed,  and  taking  up 
his    bed    carried    it    away. 

But  it  was  on  the  Sab- 
bath and  the  Pharisees 
were  angry  that  Jesus  healed 
and  the  man  carried  his  bed 
on  that  holy  day.  Jesus  was 
called  to  account  for  this 
deed  and  proceeded  to 
avow  his  union  with  the 
Father,  and  declared  him- 
self to  be  the  Messiah  and 
the  future  Judge  of  the 
world.  To  attest  these 
statements  he  appealed  to 
the  testimony  of  John  the 
Baptist,  to  the  miracles, 
and  to  the  Scriptures. 

X.  THE     DISCIPLES    PLUCK    CORN    ON    THE 
SABBATH  (Matt.  12:1-8;  Mark  2:  23-28;  Luke  6: 1-5).— On  the  next 
Sabbath  the  Pharisees  again  accused  Jesus  of  breaking  the  Sabbath,  be- 
cause his  disciples  in  passing  through  the  corn  fields  began  to  pluck 
and  eat  of  the  ripened  grain.    Jesus  vindicated  the  conduct  of  the  dis- 
ciples by  referring  to  David  breaking  the  law  and  eating  the  shewbread, 
and  openly  declared  that  he  was  Lord  of  the  Sabbath. 

XI.  HEALING  THE  WITHERED   HAND   (Matt.    12:9- 
14;  Mark  3: 1-6;  Luke  6:6-11). — A  week  later  Jesus  entered  the  syna- 
gogue at  Capernaum  and  there  Pharisees  were  still  watching  him,  to 
see  whether  he  would  break  the  Sabbath;  and  they  asked  him  whether 
it  was  lawful  to  heal  on  the  Sabbath  day.    Jesus  answered  them  by  ask- 
ing whether  it  is  lawful  to  lift  a  sheep  out  of  a  pit  on  the  Sabbath  and 
whether  it  was  better  to  do  good  or  evil.    The  man  with  the  withered 
hand  stood  before  them  and  Jesus  restored  his  hand,  and  his  enemies 
could  say  nothing  against  it. 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  51 

XII.  THE    WIDESPREAD    FAME  OF  JESUS    (Matt. 
12:15-21;  Mark  3:7-12). — Jesus'  fame  at  this  time  had  spread  all  over 
Palestine,  and  the  people  gathered  from  all  provinces,  and  even  from 
Tyre  and  Sidon,  bringing  with  them  many  sick  to  be  healed. 

XIII.  CHOOSING  THE  TWELVE  (Matt.  10:2-4;  Mark  3: 
13-19;  Luke  6:  12-19). — 1°  these  days  of  popularity  Jesus  withdrew  to  a 
mountain  alone  to  pray.     He  prayed  all  night,  and  in  the  morning  he 
organized  his  kingdom,  calling  the  twelve  apostles  to  be  helpers  in  his 
work.    The  twelve  chosen  were  Peter  and  Andrew,  James  and  John,  Phil- 
ip and  Bartholomew,  Matthew  and  Thomas,  James  the  son  of  Alphceus 
and  Simon  Zelotes,  Judas  the  brother  of  James  and  Judas  Iscariot. 

QUESTIONS. 

Name  and  locate  the  events. 

Give  opening  and  closing  events  and  date  of  each. 

AVhat  Scripture  did  he  read  in  the  synagogue? 

What  was  he  anointed  to  do? 

What  suffering  was  he  to  relieve? 

Why  was  he  thrust  out? 

Where  does  he  go  next? 

Name  the  four  that  were  called  at  Capernaum. 

What  was  done  on  the  day  of  miracles? 

How  was  the  paralytic  healed? 

Why  did  the  Pharisees  get  angry? 

What  was  Matthew  doing  when  he  was  called? 

Whom  did  Jesus  come  to  save? 

Who  was  concerned  about  fasting? 

How  did  Jesus  illustrate  that  it  was  absurd  to  fast? 

What  miracle  was  performed  at  the  time  of  the  second  Passovei  ? 

How  did  Jesus  heal  the  man? 

How  long  was  this  man  lame? 

On  what  day  was  he  healed? 

On  what  day  was  the  corn  plucked? 

Who  is  Lord  of  the  Sabbath? 

Where  and  on  what  day  was  the  withered  hand  healed? 

What  is  lawful  on  the  Sabbath? 

What  effect  had  these  miracles  on  the  people? 

What  did  Jesus  do  before  choosing  the  twelve? 

Name  the  twelve. 

What  did  Jesus  do  in  this  period  on  Sabbaths? 

How  many  were  named  before? 

Draw  map,  trace  journey  and  locate  events. 


CHAPTER  IV.— THE  LATER  GALILEAN  MINISTRY. 


From  the  Choosing  of  the  Twelve,  June  A.  D,  28,    to  the  Sermon  on 
the  Bread  of  Life,  April,  A.  D.  29;  10  Months. 

I.  THE  SERMON  ON  THE  MOUNT  (Matt.  5:  i -8:  i; 
Luke  6:  20-49).-— With  the  twelve  chosen  apostles  standing  with  him  on 
the  Mount  of  Beatitudes  (Horns  of  Hattin)  and  in  the  hearing  of  all  the 
people  Jesus  delivers  to  them  the  constitution  of  this  new  spiritual  king- 
dom which  they  are  to  proclaim  to  the  world.  Jesus  had  spent  the 
night  in  prayer  before  choosing  his  embassadors  and  setting  them  apart 
to  their  solemn  duties.  In  this  wonderful  sermon  he  makes  a  full  state- 
ment of  the  constitution  of  the  church  and  of  the  principles  on  which  his 
kingdom  was  established.  There  is  nothing  in  the  literature  of  the 
world  that  can  be  compared  with  this  sermon.  If  we  did  not  have 
Christ's  miracles  and  his  resurrection  we  could  find  ample  proof  that 
Jesus  was  a  teacher  come  from  God  by  studying  this  discourse. 

The  sermon  opens  with  the  Beatitudes.  He  shows  us  what  kind  of 
persons  we  must  be  in  order  to  receive  the  blessings.  The  poor  in  spir- 
it are  sensible  of  their  poverty  and  long  for  a  better  spiritual  state. 
When  we  recognize  our  poverty  and  sinfulness  we  become  known  as 
Christian  mourners.  The  meek  are  opposed  to  arrogance,  dominion 
and  power.  Hunger  and  thirst  express  our  most  impetuous  appetites, 
and  here  show  what  deep  anxiety  we  should  have  for  righteousness. 
The  merciful  are  willing  to  forgive  offenses,  so  God  can  exercise  his 
mercy.  The  pure  in  heart  can  see  God  by  faith  and  are  conscious  of 
his  continuous  presence.  The  peacemakers  are  making  reconciliation 
between  men,  and  make  it  their  business  constantly  to  introduce  peace. 
To  obtain  the  blessings  we  must  be  in  possession  of  all  these  great 
truths.  He  gives  in  outline  the  great  truths  they  are  to  teach,  pointing 
out  the  only  way  of  happiness,  which  leads  into  the  kingdom  of  heav- 
en; urging  their  obedience  to  the  laws  of  the  kingdom  and  warning  them 
of  the  danger  of  remaining  without  the  kingdom.  The  sermon  is  full  of 
practical  things  for  the  Christian,  and  we  have  gathered  only  a  few  un- 
der the  above  heading.  It  will  take  a  lifetime  to  study  and  practice  this 
sermon,  to  become  what  Jesus  said,  "perfect  as  your  Father  in  heaven  is 
perfect." 

The  following  is  an  outline  of  the  sermon  and  is  worthy  of  careful 
and  prayerful  study  by  every  follower  of  Jesus.  The  outline  presented 
here  is  found  in  the  Author's  "  Harmony  of  the  Four  Gospels." 

(52) 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


53 


1.  Christ's  Disciples. 

(1)  The  Beatitudes. 

(2)  The   Relation  of  Christ's  Disci- 
ples to  the  World. 

2.  Christ  and  the  Law. 

(1)  The  Fulfillment  of  the  Law. 

(2)  Law  against  Murder. 

(3)  The  Law  of  Adultery. 

(4)  The  Law  of  Divorce. 

(5)  The  Law  of  Oaths. 

(6)  The  Law  of  Retaliation. 

(7)  The  Law  of  Love. 

3.  Warning  against  Hypocrisy. 

(1)  Hypocrisy  in  Almsgiving. 

(2)  Hypocrisy  in  Praying. 

(3)  Hypocrisy  in  Fasting. 

4.  Warning  against  Worldliness. 

(1)  The  Unsafe  Deposit. 

(2)  The  Two  Masters. 

(3)  The  Worldly  Anxiety. 

5.  Golden  Precepts. 

(1)  The  Mote  and  the  Beam. 

(2)  The  Pearls  before  Swine. 

(3)  Asking  and  Receiving. 

(4)  The  Golden  Rule. 

6.  The  Way  of  Life. 

(1)  The  Strait  Gate. 

(2)  The  False  Prophets  Detected. 

(3)  False  Hopes. 

(4)  The  Two  Foundations. 


7.  The  Effect  of  the  Sermon. 

II.  HEALING  THE  CENTURION'S  SERVANT  (Matt. 

8:  5-13;  Luke  7:  i-io). — After  concluding  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount  Je- 
sus returned  again  to  Capernaum,  and  as  he  was  entering  the  city,  Jew- 
ish elders  of  a  synagogue  met  him,  pleading  in  behalf  of  a  Roman  cen- 
turion whose  slave  was  at  the  point  of  death.  Although  Jews  usually 
hated  the  Romans,  this  centurion  had  built  them  a  synagogue,  and  the 
Jews  loved  him.  Jesus  heard  their  request  and  set  out  for  the  centu- 
rion's home,  but  on  the  way  he  met  messengers  from  the  centurion  who 


54  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

bade  him  speak  the  word  only  and  the  servant  would  be  healed.    Jesus 
commended  this  remarkable  faith  and  healed  the  servant. 

III.  RAISING  THE  WIDOW'S  SON  (Luke 7: 11-17).— The 
next  day  Jesus  set  out  on  his  second  preaching  tour  in  Galilee,  accom- 
panied by  the  apostles  and  others.    They  drew  near  the  village  of  Nain, 
where  they  saw  a  funeral   procession  coming   from  the  village.    The 
only  son  of  a  widow  was  being  carried  to  the  grave,  and  Jesus,  moved 
with  compassion  at  the  mother's  grief,  bade  her  cease  weeping,  and  then 
he  touched  the  bier  and  at  his  bidding  the  young  man  sat  up  and  began 
to  speak.     The  mother  received  her  son  restored  to  life  and  Jesus  went 
into  the  city. 

IV.  JOHN  THE  BAPTIST'S  LAST  MESSAGE  (Matt. 
n:  2-6;  Luke  7:  18-35). — John  was  still  in  prison,  and  when  he  heard  of 
the  mighty   miracles  Jesus    wrought,  he   sent  messengers  to  inquire 
whether  he  really  was  the  Christ,  no  doubt  wondering  why  he  did  not 
set  up  his  Kingdom,  release  him  from  prison  and  punish  those  who  op- 
posed them.    Jesus  wrought  miracles  of  healing,  of  casting  out  demons 
and  of  restoring  sight  to  the  blind,  and  bade  the  messengers  tell  John 
what  they  had  seen.    After  these  messengers  departed  Jesus  declared 
to  the  people  that  John  was  the  greatest  of  the  prophets,  the  true  Elias 
sent  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  Messiah. 

V.  THE  FIRST  ANOINTING  OF  JESUS  (Luke  7:36-50). 
While  Jesus  was  traveling  in  Galilee  he  received  an  invitation  to  dine 
with  Simon,  a  Pharisee,  and  as  they  were  eating  there  entered  a  sinful 
woman  who  stood  behind  Jesus   as  they  reclined  at  the  table.    She 
washed  his  feet  with  her  tears,  anointing  them  with  costly  ointment,  and 
wiped  them  with  her  hair.     Simon  reproached  Jesus  for  allowing  such  a 
woman  to  touch  him,  but  Jesus  replied  with  the  parable  of  the  two  debt- 
ors indicating  the  ungratefulness  of  Simon  and  showing  that  there  is 
hope  for  even  the  most  degraded.     Then  turning  to  the  woman  he  bade 
her  go  in  peace,  for  her  faith  had  saved  her  and  her  sins  were  all  for- 
given. 

VI.  COMPANIONS     ON     SECOND      PREACHING 
TOUR  (Luke  8:  1-3). — Jesus  continued  his  preaching  among  the  vil- 
lages of  Galilee,  accompanied  by  the  twelve  and  by  a  number  of  women 
who  had  been  converted.    Great  multitudes  thronged  him  wherever  he 
went. 

VII.  WARNING    TO  THE  SCRIBES  AND  PHARI- 
SEES (Matt.  12:  22-45;  Mark  3:  20-30;  Luke  n:  14-36). — While  Jesus 
was  growing  in  favor  among  the  people,  the  hostility  of  the  Scribes  and 
Pharisees  was  becoming  mare  bitter  against  him.    At  the  close  of  his 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY.  55 

preaching  tour  he  entered  Capernaum,  and  there,  as  he  was  casting  out 
a  devil  from  a  dumb  demoniac,  they  openly  avowed  that  he  received  his 
power  from  Beelzebub,  the  chief  of  devils.  Such  a  charge  brought  from 
the  Savior's  lips  a  fearful  denunciation  and  he  warned  them  against  the 
terrible  sin  of  blasphemy  against  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  can  never  be 
forgiven. 

VIII.  CHRIST'S  TRUE   KINDRED  (Matt.  12:  46-50;  Mark 
3:  31-35;  Luke  18:  19-21). — As  Jesus  was  uttering  these  denunciations 
and  warnings,  his  mother  and  brethren,  probably  fearing  for  his  life, 
came  to  the  door  and  asked  to  see  him.     When  Jesus  received  the  mes- 
sage he  declared  all  those  who  hear  and  do  the  work  of  God  are  his  true 
kindred. 

IX.  THE   PARABLES  BY  THE    SEA  (Matt.  13:  1-53).— 
In  the  evening  of  the  day  of  this  open  rupture  with  the  Pharisees,  Jesus 
withdrew  to  the  sea  side,  followed  by  a  great  multitude.    They  crowded 
about  him  so  much  that  he  sat  down  in  one  of  the  fishing  boats,  and 
pushing  out  a  little  from  the  shore  taught  them  in  a  series  of  parables 
illustrating  the  growth  and  nature  of  the  kingdom  of  God.     In  these  par- 
ables the  Savior  has  a  special  lesson  that  he  aims  to  teach  in  each  one. 
A  number  of  lessons  may  be  drawn  from  the  teaching  of  the  parables, 
but  the  student  should  be  very  careful  to  get  the  lesson  the  Savior  meant 
to  teach. 

Parable  of  the  Sower. — The  different  places  in  which  the  seed  fell 
represent  different  classes  of  persons  who  hear  the  Word  of  God.  The 
parable  shows  how  the  Word  of  God  would  be  dealt  with  by  four  classes 
of  hearers.  It  warns  against  the  examples  of  three  of  them  and  stimu- 
lates us  to  imitate  the  fourth. 

Parable  of  the  Tares. — The  field  in  which  the  seeds  were  sown  rep- 
resents the  world  of  mankind.  The  man  who  sowed  good  seed  repre- 
sents Jesus.  The  enemy  who  sowed  the  tares,  the  devil;  the  good  seed, 
the  Christians;  the  tares,  all  the  wicked  people;  the  reapers,  the  angels, 
and  the  harvest  the  end  of  the  world. 

Parable  of  the  Mustard  Seed. — The  kingdom  of  heaven,  like  this 
seed,  was  very  small  in  its  beginning,  when  Jesus  organized  the  church, 
but  since  it  has  become  a  very  great  kingdom. 

Parable  of  the  Leaven. — The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  the  leaven, 
in  that  it  spreads  itself  in  like  manner  through  humanity. 

Parable  of  the  Hid  Treasure. — This  treasure  brings  joy  to  every 
sinner  when  he  finds  it,  and  with  eagerness  he  goes  forth  to  sell  all  other 
possessions  in  order  to  come  in  possession  of  it. 


56  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

Parable  of  the  Pearls. — This  man  already  had  some  pearls  he  prized 
very  highly,  and  now  when  he  finds  this  pearl  of  great  price  he  disposes 
of  all  former  ones  to  obtain  it.  He  had  great  values  already  sought,  but 
is  willing  to  give  up  those  for  this  one. 

Parable  of  the  Net. — At  the  end  of  the  world  the  angels  shall  sever 
the  wicked  from  among  the  just  and  cast  them  into  the  furnace  of  fire. 
In  this  he  refers  only  to  the  wicked  in  the  church.  So  at  the  end  of  the 
world  there  will  be  a  separation  even  of  those  who  are  in  the  church. 

X.  STILLING  THE  TEMPEST  (Matt.  8:  23-27;  Mark  4: 
35-41;  Luke  8:  22-25). — When  evening  came  Jesus  sent  the  multitude 
away  and  suggested  that  he  and  the  disciples  go  to  the  other  side  of  the 
sea  where  they  might  find  rest.  Wearied  with  the  labors  and  trials  of 
the  day,  he  soon  fell  asleep,  when  suddenly  a  violent  storm  burst  upon 
them  and  the  waves  almost  overwhelmed  the  boat.  The  disciples  quick- 
ly wakened  their  Master  and  he  arose,  quietly  rebuked  the  wind  and  the 
waves,  and  the  storm  ceased.  In  the  morning  they  reached  the  other 
side,  and  the  disciples  wondered  at  his  power,  that  even  the  winds  and 
the  waves  obeyed  him. 

XL  HEALING  THE  DEMONIACS  (Matt.  8:  28-34;  Mark 
5:  1-20;  Luke  8:  26-36). — In  the  country  of  the  Gadarenes,  east  of  the 
Sea  of  Galilee,  they  met  two  demoniacs,  sp  fierce  that  men  could  not 
pass  that  way.  They  dwelt  in  the  tombs  and  often  cried  out  and  cut 
themselves  with  stones.  When  they  saw  Jesus  they  fell  down  before 
him  and  worshiped  him.  The  devils  asked  Jesus  not  to  drive  them  out 
of  the  country,  but  to  suffer  them  to  enter  into  a  herd  of  swine  near  by. 
The  Savior  cast  out  the  demons  and  they  entered  the  two  thousand 
swine;  and  the  swine  rushed  wildly  into  the  lake  and  were  drownedj 
while  the  men  were  clothed  and  in  their  right  minds.  The  keepers  of 
the  herd  were  terrified  and  quickly  spread  the  news  over  the  community, 
and  soon  nearly  all  the  inhabitants  came  and  begged  Jesus  to  depart 
from  them. 

XII.  HEALING  THE  WOMAN  AND  RAISING  JAI- 
RUS'  DAUGHTER  (Matt.  9:  18,  19;  Mark  5:  21-24;  Luke  8:  40- 
56). — Jesus  returned  to  Capernaum  and  found  a  great  multitude  awaiting 
him.  Among  them  was  Jairus,  a  ruler  of  the  Jews,  who  urged  him  to 
hasten  to  his  little  daughter  who  lay  at  the  point  of  death.  But  the 
eager  crowd  pressed  upon  Jesus,  and  one  afflicted  woman,  who  had  suf- 
fered many  years,  touched  the  hem  of  his  garment  in  hope  of  being 
cured.  Jesus  felt  this  touch  of  faith  and  inquired  who  touched  him. 
The  woman  fell  trembling  at  his  feet  and  confessed  what  she  had  done. 
Jesus  bade  her  go  in  peace,  for  her  faith  had  made  her  whole.  But 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  57 

meanwhile  the  daughter  of  Jairus  had  died, 
and  servants  came  to  tell  Jairus  he  need 
trouble  the  Master  no  further.  But  Jesus 
bade  him  believe,  and  they  hastened  to- 
wards the  house,  where  hired  mourners  were 
waiting.  Jesus  put  them  all  out  of  the 
chamber  where  the  dead  girl  lay,  though 
these  laughed  him  to  scorn.  Jesus  in  the 
presence  of  the  parents,  Peter,  James  and 
John,  restored  her  to  life. 

XIII.  HEALING  TWO   BLIND 

MEN  (Matt.  9:  27-31). — When  Jesus  left 
the  house  of  Jairus  two  blind  men  followed 

him  and  cried  for  mercy.  Jesus  asked  whether  they  believed  that  he 
could  heal  them  and  when  they  said  they  did,  he  touched  their  eyes  and 
their  sight  was  restored. 

XIV.  HEALING    THE    DUMB    MAN   (Matt.  9:  32-34).— 
When  he  left  the  blind  men  he  met  a  dumb  man,  possessed  with  a  devil, 
and  he  cast  out  the  devil  and  the  man  spake. 

XV.  THE    SECOND  REJECTION    AT   NAZARETH 

(Matt.  13:  54-58;  Mark  6:  1-5). — Jesus  appeared  again  at  the  synagogue 
at  Nazareth,  thus  giving  the  people  of  his  own  town  another  opportunity 
to  accept  him.  But  the  miracle  and  mighty  works  did  not  arouse  faith 
in  them,  and  though  they  did  not  attempt  to  take  his  life  they  recalled 
his  humble  birth  and  stubbornly  refused  to  believe  on  him.  Marveling 
at  their  unbelief,  he  healed  a  few  sick  folk  and  departed  from  the  syna- 
gogue. 

XVI.  THE   THIRD   PREACHING   TOUR  (Matt.  9:  35; 
Mark  6:  6). — Being  rejected  at  Nazareth,  the  next  day  Jesus  began  to 
preach  and  heal  in  the  villages  of  Galilee. 

XVII.  THE    MISSION    OF    THE    TWELVE    (Matt.  9: 
36-11:  i;  Mark  6:  7-13;  Luke  9:  1-6). — When  Jesus  saw  the  needy  mul- 
titude in  the. cities  and    villages    he   called   his  apostles  and,  giving 
them  power  over  evil  spirits,  sent  them  out  two  by  two  to  preach,  to  the 
lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel,  the  near  approach  of  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.    This  was  their  first  experience  of  preaching  and  healing  as 
commissioned  by  Jesus.     Six  companies  of  missionaries  besides  Jesus 
himself  went  forth  among  the  cities  of  Galilee  preaching  the  good  news. 

XVIII.  THE  DEATH  OF  JOHN  THE  BAPTIST  (Matt. 
14:  1-12;  Mark  6:  14-29;  Luke  9:  7-9). — Meanwhile  John  the  Baptist  had 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


suffered  martyrdom  in  the  prison  at  Macherus.  Herodias  had  long  de- 
sired his  death,  but  Herod  dared  not  lay  his  hands  upon  him  on  account 
of  the  people.  But  at  a  feast,  Salome  the  daughter  of  Herodias  danced, 
and  so  pleased  Herod  that  he  promised  her  anything  she  might  ask.  At 
the  instigation  of  her  mother  she  asked  for  the  head  of  John,  and  the 
king,  ashamed  to  break  his  oath,  ordered  the  fearless  preacher  be- 
headed. 

XIX.  FEEDING  THE  FIVE  THOUSAND  (Matt.  14:  13- 

23;  Mark  6:  30-46;  Luke  9:  10-17;  John  6:  1-15). — When  Jesus  and  the 
apostles  gathered  at  Capernaum,  the  apostles  related  the  success  of 
their  work  in  Galilee,  and  having  just  received  the  sad  news  of  John's 
death,  Jesus  suggested  that 
they  withdraw  to  the  other 
side  of  the  sea.  They 
went  in  a  desert  place  near 
Bethsaida,  hoping  to  find 
rest,  but  it  was  about  the 
time  for  the  Passover  and 
many  people  who  were  on 
the  way  to  Jerusalem  gath- 
ered about  Jesus.  Jesus 
was  moved  with  compas- 
sion at  the  sight  of  the  mul- 
titudes, and  he  taught 


ermt 


WCOMFORT 


,  HUNGER 

THIRST 

SORROW 

DOUBT 


them,  and  when  the  disci- 
ples would  send  them  away 
to  get  something  to  eat  Je- 
sus asked  what  food  they 
had.  They  found  a  lad 

who  had  five  loaves  and  two  fishes,  and  taking  these  Jesus  blessed  the 
bread  and  brake  it  and  gave  to  the  disciples,  and  the  five  thousand  men, 
besides  the  women  and  children,  were  fed  and  twelve  baskets  of  frag- 
ments remained.  This  wonderful  miracle  impressed  the  people  greatly 
and  they  would  have  made  Jesus  king  (John  6:  24),  but  Jesus  sent  them 
away  and  constrained  his  disciples  to  take  ship  and  return  to  Caper- 
naum. Jesus  himself  went  into  a  mountain  to  a  solitary  place  to  pray. 

XX.  WALKING  ON  THE  WATER  (Matt.  14:  24-33; 
Mark  6:  47-52;  John  6:  16-21). — The  apostles,  meanwhile,  had  been  over- 
taken by  a  sudden  storm,  and  they  struggled  against  the  winds,  but 
could  not  reach  Capernaum.  At  the  fourth  watch  of  the  night  Jesus 
walked  to  them  on  the  water.  They  were  frightened,  thinking  that  it 
must  be  a  spirit.  Jesus  spoke  to  them  and  quelled  their  fears,  and  Peter 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY.  $9 

asked  to  come  to  him  on  the  water.  Jesus  bade  him  come,  but  when  Peter 
saw  the  waves  his  heart  failed  him  and  he  began  to  sink.  Jesus  reached 
out  his  hand  and  caught  him,  rebuking  his  lack  of  faith.  They  then 
went  into  the  boat  and  the  storm  ceased. 

XXI.  MIRACLES  OF    HEALING    (Matt.  14:  34-36;  Mark 
6:  53-56). — As  soon  as  Jesus   came   to  the   shore  multitudes  gathered 
about  him  on  the  plains  of  Gennesaret  and  Jesus  there  performed  many 
miracles  of  healing. 

XXII.  THE    DISCOURSE    ON     THE     BREAD     OF 
LIFE  (John  6:  22-71). — Many  ofthosewho  had  witnessed  the  miracle  of 
feeding  the  five  thousand  came  over  to  Capernaum  seeking  Jesus. 
Knowing  that  he  had  not  come  with  his  disciples,  they  eagerly  gathered 
about  him  in  the  synagogue  of  Capernaum  and  asked  how  he  had  come. 
Jesus  rebuked  them  for  their  selfish  seeking,  saying  it  was  the  loaves 
and  fishes  that  brought  them.    Jesus  preached  the  great   sermon  on 
"The  Bread  of  Life,"  saying  that  unless  they  ate  the  flesh  of  the  Son  of 
man  and  drank  his  blood  they  had  no  life.    This  was  a  hard  saying  for 
the  people.    They  would  not  eat  the  Bread  of  Life,  and  so  turned  away 
from  Jesus.    The  whole  multitude  who  had  pressed  and  crowded  about 
him  now  forsook  him,  but  the  twelve  apostles  remained  faithful. 

QUESTIONS. 

With  what  date  does  this  period  open  and  close? 

Name  the  Beatitudes  in  their  order. 

What  is  said  about  this  sermon? 

Where  did  the  Centurion's  servant  live? 

What  had  the  Centurion  done  for  the  Jews? 

What  miracle  did  Jesus  perform  at  Nain? 

What  was  the  Baptist's  last  message? 

What  did  Jesus  tell  these  people  after  the  messengers  were  gone? 

Where  was  Jesus  first  anointed? 

Why  did  the  disciples  rebuke  him? 

Name  the  companions  of  the  second  preaching  tour. 

What  did  he  do  after  closing  his  preaching  tour? 

What  did  he  say  to  his  own  relatives? 

Name  the  parables  by  the  sea. 

What  does  each  parable  teach? 

What  was  the  purpose  of  these  parables? 

How  could  Jesus  sleep  when  the  sea  was  so  dangerous? 

Whom  did  they  find  in  the  country  of  the  Gadarenes? 

How  were  they  healed? 


6o 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


What  was  the  request  of  the  demons? 

Where  was  Jairus's  daughter  raised  to  life? 

What  was  it  that  made  her  whole? 

Where  were  the  two  blind  men  healed,  and  how? 

Whom  did  he  help  next? 

How  did  the  people  of  Nazareth  receive  him  the  second  time? 

Give  the  mission  of  the  twelve. 

Explain  what  they  were  to  take. 

How  many  companies  went? 

At  whose  death  did  they  return? 

How  many  were  fed  northeast  of  the  sea? 

What  time  of  the  year  was  it? 

What  did  he  do  for  these  people? 

How  many  baskets  were  filled? 

Why  did  Jesus  go  to  the  mountain? 

Where  did  he  meet  the  disciples? 

Why  did  Peter  not  continue  to  walk  on  the  water? 

Where  did  Jesus  preach  the  sermon  on  the  "  Bread  of  Life  "? 

For  what  did  Jesus  rebuke  them? 


the.  Way 
the  Truik 
the  Life 


CHAPTER  V. — THE  PERIOD  OF  RETIREMENT. 


From  the  Discourse  on  the  Bread  of  Life,  A .  D.  2Q,  to  the  Feast  of 
Tabernacles,  October,  A.  D.  29;  6  Months. 

This  is  a  period  of  seeking  retirement,  and  in  many  places  Jesus 
is  hindered  by  the  people  breaking  in  upon  him  and  disturbing  him  in 
giving  his  special  training  to  his  chosen  apostles  who  were  soon  to  carry 
on  his  work. 

I.  EATING  WITH   UNWASHED  HANDS  (Matt.  15:  i- 
20;   Mark   7:1-23). — After  Jesus  had  preached  his    sermon   on  "The 
Bread  of  Life  "the  Pharisees  and  scribes  found  fault  with  him  because 
his  disciples  ate  with  unwashed  hands.     But  Jesus  called  the  people  to- 
gether and  taught  them  that  what  man  said  defiled  him,  and  not  what 
he  ate. 

II.  HEALING  THE  SYROPHCENICIAN'S    DAUGH- 
TER (Matt.  15:  21-28;  Mark  7:  24-30).— Jesus  with  his  disciples  then 
withdrew  to  the  borders  of  Tyre  and  Sidon,  hoping  to  remain  a  time 
in  seclusion.     But  soon  a  woman  of  Canaan  besought  him  to  heal  her 
daughter  who  was  grievously  vexed  with  a  devil.    At  first  he  seemed 
to  treat  her  coldly,  but  she  steadfastly   persisted  in  her  petition,  and 
finally  with  a  commendation  of  her  great  faith  he  healed  her  daughter. 

III.  HEALING    THE     DEAF    STAMMERER    AND 
OTHERS  (Matt.  15:29-31;  Mark  7:31-37).— After  a  short  stay  in  this 
region,  Jesus,  passing  to  the  north  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee,  came   into 
Decapolis  where  he  healed  a  deaf  stammerer,  and  many  others  hearing 
of  this  miracle  came  to  be  healed,  and  Jesus  healed  the  lame,  the  blind, 
the  dumb  and  the  maimed. 

IV.  FEEDING  THE  FOUR  THOUSAND  (Matt.  15:32- 
38;  Mark  8:  1-9). — On  account  of  these  miracles  a  great  multitude  ot 
men,  women  and   children,  about  four  thousand,  gathered  about  the 
Savior  and  listened  to  his  words  and  beheld  his  cures.    They  continued 
with  him  for  about  three  days  and  their  provisions  began  to  fail,  and  Je- 
sus, finding  there  were  seven  loaves  and  a  few  small  fishes  among  them, 
fed  all  the  multitude  with  them. 

V.  THE    PHARISEES    AND   SADDUCEES    DE- 
MAND A  SIGN  (Matt.  15:39-16:4;  Mark  8: 10-12).— Having  sent 
the  multitudes  away,  Jesus  again  took  ship  and  crossed  to  the  west  side 

(61) 


62 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


to  Dalmanutha,  where  the  Pharisees  and  Sadducees  asked  a  sign  from 
heaven.     Jesus  refused  to  give  them  a  sign,  save  the  sign  of  Jonah. 

VI.  THE    LEAVEN    OF    PHARISEES    AND    SAD- 
DUCEES  (Matt.    16:5-12;   Mark  8:  13-21).— Jesus  did   not  tarry  at 
Dalmanutha,  but  immediately  took  ship  again  to  cross  over  to  Bethsai- 
da.    While  on  the  sea  Jesus  warned  his  disciples  to  beware  of  the  leav- 
en of  the  Pharisees,  referring  

to  their  hypocrisy. 

VII.  HEALING    A 

BLIND  MAN  (Mark  8:22 

-26). — At  Bethsaida  a  blind 
man  was  brought  to  Jesus 
and  he  took  him  by  the  hand 
and  led  him  forth  out  of 
town;  he  spit  upon  his  eyes 
and  laid  his  hands  upon  him, 
and  the  man  saw  men  as 
trees  walking.  Then  laying 
his  hands  upon  him  again 
his  sight  was  fully  restored. 

VIII.  PETER'S  GREAT  CONFESSION  (Matt.  16:13-20; 
Mark  8:27-30;  Luke  9:  18-21). — From  Bethsaida  Jesus  went  to  Cassarea 
Philippi,  accompanied  by  his  apostles.    When  they  came  near  the  city 
Peter,  in  answer  to  Jesus'  question,  boldly  declared,  "Thou  art  the 
Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God."    Jesus  accepted  this  confession  of 
Peter's,  saying,  "his  Father  in  heaven  had  revealed  it  unto  him,"  and 
promised  him  the  special  dignity  of  the  keys  of  the  kingdom. 

IX.  CHRIST  FORETELLS  HIS  DEATH  (Matt.   16:21- 
28;  Mark  8:  31-9: 1 ;  Luke  9:22-27). — Jesus  then  began  to  reveal  to  his 
disciples  the  suffering  and  death  he  must  endure  at  th^  hands  of  the 
rulers  at  Jerusalem,  but  also  told  them  that  in  three  days  he  would   rise 
again  from  the  grave.    The  apostles  could  not   comprehend   such  an 
announcement,  and  Peter  began  to  rebuke  the  Lord,  but  Jesus  checked 
him  and  told  them  that  all  who  would  follow  him  must   take  up  his 
cross. 

X.  THE  TRANSFIGURATION  (Matt.  17:1-13;  Mark  9:2- 
13;  Luke  9:  28-36). — After  this  sad  prediction  Jesus  took  Peter,  James 
and  John  to  Mt.  Hermon  to  engage  in  prayer.    The  apostles  fell  asleep, 
and  suddenly   Christ   was  transfigured  before   them,  and   when   they 
awoke  they  saw  his  raiment  white  as  snow  and  his  countenance  shone 
like  the  sun,  and  two  men  stood  with  him.    These  men  were  Moses  and 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  63 

Elias,  who  spoke  with  Jesus  concerning  his  coming  decease.  Peter  sug- 
gested that  they  build  three  tabernacles  for  these  three  holy  ones  to 
occupy  and  thus  establish  the  kingdom,  and  escape  the  death  that 
awaited  Christ  at  Jerusalem.  But  just  then  a  cloud  overshadowed  them 
and  the  voice  of  the  Father  spoke:  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son;  hear  ye 
him."  The  Old  Testament  saints  disappeared  and  they  saw  Jesus  only, 
and  he  bade  the  disciples  rise  and  fear  not,  and  they  descended  the 
mount  together. 

XI.  HEALING  THE  DEMONIAC  BOY  (Matt.  17:  14-21; 
Mark  9: 14-29;  Luke  9:37-42). — When  they  returned  to  Caesarea  Philip- 
pi,  they  found  that  the  nine  apostles  had  not  been  able  to  heal  a  de- 
moniac boy  that  had  been  brought  to  them.    Jesus  commanded  them  to 
bring  the  boy  to  him,  and  when  he  appeared  he  fell  into  one  of  his  sud- 
den paroxysms,  and  Jesus  told  the  father  all  things  were  possible  to 
those  who  believed;  and  when  the  father   confessed  his  belief  Jesus 
healed  the  boy. 

XII.  CHRIST    AGAIN    FORETELLS    HIS    DEATH 

(Matt.  17:22,  23;  Mark  9:30-32;  Luke  9:  43-45}- — As  they  started  on  their 
way  to  Capernaum,  Jesus  again  reminded  his  apostles  of  his  rejection 
by  the  rulers,  of  his  coming  death  and  glorious  resurrection;  yet  they 
did  not  fully  understand  him. 

XIII.  TRIBUTE  MONEY  PROVIDED  (Matt.   17:24-27). 
— After  Jesus  with  the  disciples  arrived  at  Capernaum  those  who  re- 
ceived the  tribute  money  came  to  Peter  and  asked  him  whether  their 
Master  did  not  pay  tribute.    And  he  answered  him  "yes."     After  Peter 
came  into  the  house  Jesus  asked  him,  "Of  whom  do  the  kings  of  the 
earth  take  tribute?  "     Peter  answered,  "From  strangers."     Jesus  said, 
"  Then  are  the  children  free."     But  in  order  not  to  offend  them  he  com- 
manded Peter  to  go  to  the  sea  and  take  a  hook  and  cast  into  the  water 
and  "take  up  the  fish  that  first cometh  up,  and  in  his  mouth  thou  shalt 
find  a  piece  of  money.    This  take,  and  pay  the  tribute  for  me  and  for 
thee." 

XIV.  DISCOURSE    ON     HUMILITY 
AND     FORGIVENESS  (Matt.  18:  1-35;  Mark 
9:33-5o;  Luke  9:46-50;  17: 1-4). — Although  Jesus  had 
reminded  them  of  his  coming  suffering,  yet  the  dis- 
ciples were  contemplating  a  glorious   kingdom  and 
even  began  to  dispute  in  regard  to  the  chief  positions 
in  the  kingdom.     Jesus  knew  their  thoughts,  and  tak- 
ing a  little  child  he  set  him  in  their  midst  and  taught 

them  an  object  lesson  on  humility  and  forgiveness,  telling  them  that 


64  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

unless  they  would  humble  themselves  like  little  children  they  could  not 
even  enter  the  kingdom.  He  impressed  these  lessons  by  the  parables 
of  the  lost  sheep  and  by  the  king  and  his  servants. 

XV.  SECRET  DEPARTURE  FOR  JERUSALEM 

(John  7: 1-13). — When  the  feast  of  Tabernacles  drew  near,  many  pil- 
grims went  to  Jerusalem,  and  Jesus'  brethren  desired  him  to  go  up  to 
Jerusalem  and  there  perform  some  of  his  miracles.  But  the  Jews  were 
seeking  his  life,  and  Jesus  did  not  go  until  a  few  days  later,  and  then  he 
made  a  secret  journey  to  Jerusalem. 

XVI.  JESUS     AT    THE    FEAST    OF     TABERNA- 
CLES  (John  7:14-52). — Jesus  suddenly  appeared  at  the  temple  in  the 
midst  of  the  feast  and  there  taught  the  people  openly.    Although  the 
rulers  desired  to  kill  him,  they  feared  to  do  so  on  account  of  the  people 
who  loved  him.    At  length  the  rulers  sent  officers  to  take  him,  but  Jesus 
continued  teaching,  and  on  the  last  and  great  day  of  the  feast  boldly 
preached  of  the  living  waters  of  the  Spirit  which  should  flow  forth  when 
he  was  glorified,  and  even  the  officers  waiting  to  take  him  declared  they 
could  not,  for  never  man  spake  as  this  man. 

QUESTIONS. 

Name  and  locate  the  events  of  this  period. 

Why  did  they  forsake  Jesus  after  the  sermon  on  the  Bread  of  Life? 

Draw  map  and  trace  journeys  and  locate  events. 

What  did  Jesus  teach  them  in  reference  to  defilement? 

How  was  the  Syrophoenician  woman  rewarded  for  her  faith? 

Where  was  the  deaf  stammerer  healed? 

Where  did  Christ  feed  the  four  thousand;  with  what  were  they  fed? 

What  sign  did  he  promise  them? 

What  did  he  mean  to  teach  by  the  "  Beware  of  the  leaven  "? 

Where  was  the  blind  man  healed? 

Give  Peter's  confession. 

How  did  the  apostles  receive  the  announcement  of  his  death? 

Why  did  Peter  rebuke  him? 

Who  was  present  at  the  Transfiguration? 

What  did  Peter  suggest  to  do? 

What  testimony  from  heaven  concerning  Jesus? 

Who  was  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain  waiting  to  be  healed? 

Draw  map  and  locate  events. 

When  did  he  again  foretell  his  death? 

How  does  he  illustrate  "humility  "? 

What  feast  occurred  at  Jerusalem  at  this  time? 

What  special  lessons  did  he  teach  on  the  last  day  of  the  feast? 


<&**  •  «»  ftr-  ^-^ 

if"  Desert  of  Arabia       ,.„„,. _jfT 


CHAPTER  VI.— THE  JUDEAN  MINISTRY. 


From  the  Feast  of  Tabernacles,  October,  A.  D.  29,  to  the  Feast  oj 
Dedication,  December,  A.  D.  29 ;  3  Months. 

The  events  in  this  period  are  not  definitely  fixed,  either  as  to  timt 
or  place. 

I.  THE  WOMAN  TAKEN  IN  ADULTERY  (John  7:  53- 
8:  n). — In  the  evening  of  the  last  day  of  the  feast  Jesus  went  to  the 
Mount  of  Olives,  perhaps  to  the  home  at  Bethany,  and  early  the  next 
morning  he  reappeared   at  the  Temple.    The   Pharisees,  finding  they 
dared  not  openly  oppose  him,  tried  to  entrap  him  by  bringing  to  him  a 
woman  taken  in  adultery  for  his  decision  concerning  her  case.     If  he 
would  pronounce  the  sentence  of  death  they  thought  he  would  lose  favor 
with  the  people,  and  if  he  would  decide  otherwise  they  would  accuse 
him  of  breaking  the  Law.     But  Jesus  simply  said,  "He  that  is  without 
sin  among  you,  let  him  cast  the  first  stone,"  and  then  stooped  to  con- 
tinue his  writing  on  the  ground.     When  he  looked  up  the  woman  stood 
alone  before  him  and  all  the  accusers  had  fled.     When  he  found  there 
was  no  one  to  accuse  her,  he  bade  her  go  and  sin  no  more. 

II.  CONVERSATION  WITH  THE  PHARISEES  (John 

8:  12-59). — Jesus  afterward  met  many  of  the  Pharisees  at  the  temple  and 
declared  to  them  that  he  was  the  Light  of  the  World  and  all  of  his  serv- 
ants are  free. 

III.  DEPARTURE  FROM  GALILEE  (Matt.  19:  i,  2;  Mark 
10:  i). — After  the  Feast  of  Tabernacles  it  appears  that  Jesus  again  re- 
turned to  Galilee  for  a  short  time,  and  multitudes  of  the  common  people 
followed  him.     But  in  a  short  time  he  took  his  final  leave  of  Galilee  and 
spent  the  last  few  months  of  his  ministry  in  Judea  and  Perea. 

IV.  REJECTION     BY    A    SAMARITAN    VILLAGE 

(Luke  9:  51-56). — With  his  face  set  towards  Jerusalem,  Jesus  with  his 
Apostles  started  for  Jerusalem,  going  through  Samaria.  In  one  of  the 
villages  the  Samaritans  refused  to  receive  Jesus,  and  the  impetuous 
James  and  John  desired  to  call  down  fire  from  heaven  upon  them.  The 
Master  quietly  rebuked  them  and  departed  to  another  village. 

V.  THE   THREE    HALF-HEARTED    FOLLOWERS 

(Matt.  8:  19-22;  Luke  9:  57-62).— As  they  went  on  their  way  they  met 
three  men  who  desired  to  follow  Jesus,  but  the  first  was  not  willing  to 
bear  the  hardships;  the  second  desired  to  first  bury  his  father  and  the 

C66) 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


67 


third  wanted  to  give  his  friends  farewell.    Jesus  wants  an  immediate, 
entire  service. 

THE  SEVENTY  (Matt.  11:20-24; 


THE  DISCIPLES  WITH  OPEN 
WORD,  OPEN  HEARTS.OPEN  HANDS, 
Two   BY  Two 


SENT    FORTH  To   SERVE 


VI.  SENDING    OUT 

Luke  10:  1-16).— Jesus  then 
sent  out  seventy  of  his  dis- 
ciples to  prepare  the  way 
before  him — to  perform  mir- 
acles and  to  preach  the  king- 
dom in  the  villages  that  Je- 
sus expected  to  visit. 

VII.  THE     GOOD 

SAMARITAN  (Luke  10: 

25-37). — Jesus  seems  then  to 
have  passed  out  of  Samaria 
into  Perea,  and  there  he 
met  a  lawyer  who  came  to 
tempt  Jesus  with  the  ques- 
tion, "  What  shall  I  do,  to 

inherit  eternal  life?"  Jesus  told  him  to  love  God  and  his  neighbor, 
but  the  lawyer,  desiring  to  justify  himself,  asked  who  was  his  neighbor. 
Jesus  by  the  parable  of  the  Good  Samaritan  impressed  upon  him  the 
truth  that  neighborliness  springs  from  the  heart  of  love  and  compassion 
and  cannot  be  limited  by  racial  or  social  lines.  We  must  be  like  the 
Good  Samaritan. 

VIII.  RETURN    OF    THE    SEVENTY    (Matt.  11: 25-30; 
Luke    10:  17-24). — Probably  while  Jesus  was  still  in  Perea  the  Seventy 
returned  much  pleased  with  the  success  in  casting  out  evil  spirits.    Je- 
sus told  them  not  to  rejoice  because  they  had  power  over  evil  spirits,  but 
to  rejoice  because  their  names  were  written  in  heaven. 

IX.  JESUS  AT  THE  HOME  OF  MARY  AND  MAR- 
THA (Luke  10:  38-42). — Jesus  withdrew  from  Perea  and  went  towards 
Jerusalem,  stopping  on  the  way  at  Bethany  to  rest  at  the  home  of  Mary 
and  Martha.     Mary  sat  at  his  feet  and  Martha,  anxious  to  serve  the 
Master  well,  rebuked  her  sister;  but  Jesus  commended  her  gentle  meek- 
ness and  reproved  Martha  for  being  cumbered  with  the  care  of  serving. 

X.  HEALING   THE  MAN    BORN  BLIND  (John  9:  1-41). 
— Jesus  went  to  attend  the  Feast  of  Dedication,  and  there  he  resumed 
his  discourses  in  the  Temple.    On  the  Sabbath  he  passed  a  man  who 
had  been  blind  from  his  birth.    Jesus  anointed  his  eyes  with  clay  and 
bade  him  wash  in  the  Pool  of  Siloam,  and  the  man  went  and  returned 
with  his  sight  restored.    Such  a  miracle  aroused  a  great  commotion  and 


68  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

the  Sanhedrim  called  the  man  to    account,  and  then  his  parents,  and 
finally  they  excommunicated  him  from  the  synagogue. 

XI.  THE    GOOD    SHEPHERD    (John  10:  1-21).—  Jesus  ad- 
dressed these  Pharisees  in  the  parable  of  the  Good  Shepherd,  denounc- 
ing them  for  their  selfish,  cruel  shepherding  of  the  flock,  seeking  their 
own  welfare  rather  than  the  good  of  those  they  taught.    Jesus  declared 
himself  the  Good  Shepherd,  bringing  abundant  and  eternal  life  to  all 
who  entered  his  fold. 

XII.  THE  FEAST  OF   DEDICATION  (John  10:22-39).— 
It  was  winter  now,  and  Jesus  had  been  teaching  in  Solomon's  Porch. 
It  was  time  for  the  Feast  of  Dedication,    and    many    Pharisees  gath- 
ered about  them  asking  him  to  tell  them  plainly  whether  he  was  the 
Messiah.    Jesus  pointed  them  to  his  miracles  already  wrought  in  their 
midst;  but  they  would  not  receive  his  testimony,  but  took  up  stones  and 
would  have  stoned  him,  but  he  quietly  escaped  from  their  midst. 

QUESTIONS. 

How  many  months  are  covered  by  this  period? 
When  did  Jesus  go  to  the  Mount  of  Olives? 
How  did  he  silence  the  accusers? 
What  did  he  say  to  the  woman? 
What  lessons  did  he  teach  the  Pharisees? 
Where  did  Jesus  spend  the  last  months  of  his  ministry? 
What  did  James  and  John  want  to  do  when  some  refused  to  receive  Je- 
sus? 

Why  did  not  the  three  follow  Jesus  immediately? 
What  must  the  followers  of  Jesus  do? 
Where  did  he  send  out  the  Seventy? 
What  was  their  mission? 
What  was  the  lawyer's  question? 
How  did  Jesus  answer  him? 
WTho  is  our  neighbor? 
Whom  did  Jesus  meet  at  Bethany? 
What  was  Martha  doing? 
What  was  Mary  doing? 
How  did  Jesus  heal  the  blind  man? 
W7hat  parables  did  Jesus  give  these  Pharisees? 
When  was  the  Feast  of  Dedication? 
Why  did  they  not  stone  him? 


CHAPTER  VII.— THE  PERIOD  OF  PEREAN  MINISTRY. 


From  the  Feast  of  Dedication,  December,  A.  D.  .?<?,  to  the  Anointing 
at  Bethany,  April,  A.  D.  jo ;   /  Mont/is. 

I.  GENERAL  STATEMENT   OF  HIS  WORK  (John  10: 
40-42). — After  the  Jews  took  up  stones  to  stone  Jesus  he  went  to  the  east 
of  the  river  Jordan,  into  the  country  of  Perea.    The  seventy  had  gone 
through  the  Perean  towns  before  this  into  which  he  was  now  about  to  go. 
The  people  in  Perea  were  in  a  more  advanced  state  of  preparation  than 
were  the  Galileans  for  his  instruction. 

II.  THE    DISCOURSE    ON    PRAYER  (Luke  n:  1-13).— 
Some  of  the  discourses  which  Jesus  had  delivered  in  Galilee  were  re- 
peated in  Perea  with  slight  variations.     While  the  Lord's  Prayer  was 
given  with  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  it  is  on  this  occasion  given  again; 
but  instead  of  following  it  immediately  with  exhortations  to  forgiveness 
he  illustrates  the  value  of  importunity  in  prayer,  by  the  parable  of  the 
midnight   petitioner.    This  should   be  our  constant  cry  as  Christians, 
"  Lord,  teach  us  to  pray."    Jesus  had  power  through  prayer  and  the  dis- 
ciples desired  that  he  would  teach  them  how  to  pray,  so  that  they  might 
have  more  power. 

III.  AT   MEAT  IN  THE  PHARISEE'S  HOUSE  (Luke 
11:37-54). — Here  also  Jesus  defied  the  prejudices  of  the  Pharisees  and 
rabbinical  law  by  neglecting  to  observe  to  the  letter  their  rules  in  re- 
gard to  washing  before  eating.    This  occurred  in  the  house  of  a  Phari- 
see who  had  asked  him  home  to  dinner.    When  the  Pharisees  marveled, 
Jesus  repeated  his  former  teaching  on 

the  subject  of  moral  cleanliness  by 
reproving  the.m  for  their  foolish  atten- 
tion to  the  petty  details  of  ceremo- 
nies, while  they  neglected  the  living 
realities  which  these  ceremonies  in- 
tended to  teach. 

IV.  WARNING  AGAINST 
SPIRIT     OF     PHARISAISM 

(Luke  12: 1-59). — Here  also  the  Teach- 
er's heart  was  filled  with  compassion 
as  he  saw  the  multitudes  hungry  for 
spiritual  food  nocking  to  him.  Jesus 
teaches  his  followers  the  lesson  of 

'        (69) 


7Q  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

trust.  He  knows  the  sparrows'  ways  and  cares  for  them,  and  his  chil- 
dren are  of  much  more  value  than  many  sparrows.  Jesus  was  called 
one  day  to  settle  between  two  brothers  a  dispute  regarding  an  inherit- 
ance. He  rebuked  the  spirit  of  covetousness  which  had  prompted  the 
request,  and  spoke  the  parable  of  the  "Foolish  Rich  Man,"  who,  when 
his  harvest  was  abundant,  instead  of  sharing  his  fullness  with  the  poor 
or  planning  some  worthy  work  with  his  enlarged  opportunities,  resolved 
that  he  would  build  larger  barns.  Then  God  said  to  him,  "This  night 
is  thy  soul  required  of  thee."  Jesus  in  giving  instruction  further  against 
worldliness  says:  "  Where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart  be  also." 

V.  INSTRUCTION     CONCERNING     CALAMITIES 

(Luke  13:  1-9). — As  he  had  warned  the  people  individually  of  covetous- 
ness  so  he  here  speaks  solemn  warnings  which  relate  to  Israel  as  a 
nation.  He  appeals  to  them  to  repent  in  order  to  avoid  punishment,  and 
gives  them  fuller  instructions  by  using  the  parable  of  the  "  Barren  Fig 
Tree."  God  had  planted  the  Jewish  nation  in  favored  soil  and  had  nur- 
tured it  carefully;  but  when  he  looked  at  the  appointed  time  for  fruit,  in- 
stead of  finding  figs  he  found  a  barren  tree,  burdening  and  hurting  the 
soil. 

VI.  WOMAN    HEALED   ON    THE    SABBATH    (Luke 
13:  10-17). — When  Jesus  was  teaching  in  the  synagogue  on  the  Sabbath 
day  he  healed  a  woman  who  had  been  afflicted  for  eighteen  years.    The 
ruler  of  the  synagogue  made  objections  to  this  act  of  mercy  on  the  Sab- 
bath day.    Jesus  again  repeats  his  instruction  that  acts  of  mercy  are 
never  out  of  place  and  should  always  be  performed. 

VII.  QUESTION    WHETHER     FEW    ARE    SAVED 

(Luke  13:  22-30). — Jesus  was  passing  through  many  cities  and  villages, 
teaching  the  people,  when  some  one  asked  him  this  important  question. 
He  takes  this  opportunity  to  teach  us  that  it  requires  much  self-denial 
and  sacrifice  to  enter  the  strait  gate,  and  because  it  costs  so  much  to 
enter  the  door  many  will  be  found  on  the  outside  knocking  for  admit- 
tance after  the  door  is  shut. 

VIII.  THE  WARNING    AGAINST    HEROD  (Luke   13: 
31-35). — One  day  as  he  was  teaching  certain  Pharisees  came  to  him  and 
advised  him  to  leave  the   country  on   pain   of  being  slain  by  Herod. 
(This  was  in  the  country  over  which  the  Herod  ruled  who  had  put  John 
the  Baptist  to  death.)    After  Jesus  answered  these  people  directly  he 
added  with  sadness:  "It  cannot  be  that  a  prophet  perish  out  of  Jerusa- 
lem," and  made  a  sympathetic  appeal  of  the  strong  desire  he  had  to  save 
the  people  in  the  city  of  Jerusalem. 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  Jl 

IX.  LESSONS  AT  THE  PHARISEE'S  TABLE  (Luke 
14:   1-24). — On  an   earlier  Sabbath  Jesus  had  healed    a  woman    who 
had   been  infirm  for  eighteen  years,  and   now  on  this    Sabbath    he 
healed  a  man  of  dropsy.     He  was  burdened  by  the  false  teachers,  and 
in  order,  if  possible,  to  arouse  them  to  some  sense  of  their  spiritual  lack 
and  danger  he  delivered  the  parable  of  the  "Great  Supper."     The  Jews 
were  bidden  to  this  feast  by  the  prophets,  and  they  did  not  realize  at  this 
time  that  by  their  moral  blindness  they  were  refusing  to  go  in  while  the 
feast  was  spread.     Jesus  taught   them   that,   although   they   refused   to 
enter  and  enjoy  the  feast,  it  would  be  eaten  and  enjoyed  by  others. 

X.  COUNTING  THE  COST    (Luke  14:  25-35).— Jesus  here 
uses  a  practical  illustration  in  teaching  the  multitude  that  not  only  sac- 
rifice must  be  made  to  enter  Christ's  service,  but  that  continuous  self- 
denial  is  necessary  to  follow  him  in  service. 

XL  THREE  PARABLES  CONCERNING  THE 
LOST  (Luke  15:  1-32). — When  Jesus  reproved  the  haughty  rulers  of 
the  people,  the  publicans  who  were  not  used  to  the  compassion  of  a 
rabbi,  hearing  of  his  reproofs  of  those  from  whom  they  endured  so  much 
contempt,  gathered  about  him  in  large  numbers  to  hear  his  teaching. 
This  was  offensive  to  the  Pharisees  and  scribes  and  they  said:  "This 
man  receiveth  sinners  and  eateth  with  them."  Jesus  spoke  in  reply  the 
three  parables  of  glad  tidings  which  have  ever  been  a  comfort  to  the 
sin-sick  soul. 

1.  The  Lost  Sheep. — The   Pharisees  said:  "There   is  joy  before 
God  when  those  who  provoke  him  perish  from  the  world."    Over  against 
this  Jesus  puts  the  word:  "There  is  joy  in  heaven  over  one  sinner  that 
repenteth."    The  heavenly  Shepherd  seeks  far  and  long  to  find  the  one 
that  has  wandered  away  from  the  fold. 

2.  The  Lost  Coin. — In  this  parable  the  Savior  lays  emphasis  upon 
diligent  search  for  the  lost  soul.    The  silver  was  lost  in  the  house  and 
the  woman  searched  diligently,  and  continued  until  it  was  found.     If  a 
woman  does  this  when  a  coin  is  lost  will  not  God  search  diligently  when 
a  soul  is  lost,  and  bid  the  angels  rejoice  when  the  lost  is  found? 

3.  The  Lost  Son. — This  parable  is  more  comprehensive  than  the 
other  two.     In  this  case  that  which  was  lost  was  not  a  sheep  or  a  coin, 
but  a  man.    This  young  man  had  spent  his  inheritance  in  riotous  living 
until  in  poverty  and  degradation  he  becomes  a  swine-herder  in  a  foreign 
land.    God  shows  his  compassion  in  accepting  the  sinner  who  has  wan- 
dered far  away  from  his  Father's  house  and  teaches  the  selfishness  of 
the  Pharisees  who  are  represented  by  the  elder  brother  who  objected  to 
the  mercy  offered  the  wandering  boy  on  his  return. 


72  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

XII.  HOW  TO  USE   RICHES    (Luke   16:  1-31).— "He  that 
is  faithful  in  very  little  is  faithful  also  in  much,  and  he  that  is  unright- 
eous in  little  is  also  unrighteous  in   much.     Ye  cannot  serve  God  and 
mammon."    These  truths  are  clearly  set  forth  in  the  parable  of  the  un- 
just steward.     He  further  emphasizes  this  lesson  by  the  parable  of  the 
rich  man  and  Lazarus.    The  rich  man  fared  sumptuously  by  an  im- 
proper use  of  the  money  that  he  had  at  his  command,  through  which  he 
had  opportunities  to  assist  the  poor.     Lazarus  was  at  his  door  for  help, 
but  his  suffering  was  not  relieved  by  the  rich  man;  but  when  the  rich 
man  died  he  opened  his  eyes  in  hell  and  received  his  punishment,  while 
Lazarus  was  rejoicing  in  the  bosom  of  Abraham. 

XIII.  POWER  OF  FAITH  AND  DUTY  OF  HUMIL- 
ITY (Luke  17:  5-10). — The  apostles  saw  the  need  of  greater  faith  and 
the  Savior  showed  them  what  can  be  accomplished  with  real  genuine 
faith  if  it  is  only  the  size  of  a  grain  of  mustard  seed.     He  also  teaches 
us  to  be  humble;  and  after  doing  all  we  can  we  can  not  expect  salvation 
through  merit,  but  by  grace. 

XIV.  RAISING    OF     LAZARUS    (John   11:   1-54).— While 
Jesus  was  continuing  his   teaching   in    Perea   two  sisters,    Martha  and 
Mary,  residing  at  Bethany  sent  messengers  to  him  announcing  that  their 
brother  Lazarus  was  sick.    On  receiving  the  word  Jesus  replied,  "This 
sickness  is  not  unto  death,  but  for  the  glory  of  God,  that  the  Son  of  God 
might  be  glorified  thereby."     Instead  of  coming  to  the  sisters  imme- 
diately he  remained  still  two  days  in  the  place  where  the  messengers 
met  him,  during  which  interval  Lazarus  died  and  was  laid  in  a  stone 
sepulcher.    At  the  close  of  the  two  days  Jesfcis  went  to  Bethany;  but  the 
disciples  remonstrated  against  going  into   Judea,   for  it  was  not  long 
since  that  they  fled  from  their  enemies;  but  Jesus  told  them  his  special 
reason  for  returning  to  Bethany  was  because  Lazarus  was  dead  and  he 
must  go  and  awaken  him  out  of  his  death  sleep.     The  disciples  saw  that 
he  would  go  to  the  side  of  his  dead  friend  and  they  decided  to  go  with 
him,  so  they  might  die  with  him.     When  Jesus  reached  Bethany  Lazarus 
was  in  the  grave  and  the  house  filled  with  friends  of  the  family  who  had 
come  to  mourn  with  them.    As  he  approached  the  town   Martha  met 
him,  and  after  some  important  teaching  he  requested  Martha  to  return 
and  call  Mary.     When  Mary  met  Jesus  and  impressed  him  with  her 
sorrow  as  she  knelt  at  his  feet  he  manifested  his  compassion  through 
tears.     When  Jesus  arrived  at  the  tomb  he  commanded  that  the  stone 
be  taken  away;  and  after  he  prayed  he  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  "Laza- 
rus, come  forth;"  and  Lazarus  rose  and  stood  before  them  alive.     Some 
of  the  people  that  stood  there  and  saw  the  miracle  believed,  and  others 
went  to  Jerusalem  and  told  the  Pharisees.    The  Sanhedrim  was  called, 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  73 

and  after  some  consultation  it  was  decided  that  Jesus  must  die.  There- 
fore he  walked  no  more  openly  among  the  Jews  and  went  into  the  coun- 
try of  Ephraim  as  the  Passover  was  not  yet  at  hand. 

XV.  CLEANSING   TEN    LEPERS  (Luke  17:  11-19).— The 
healing  of  the  ten  lepers  occurred  in  the  borders  of  Galilee  and  Samaria. 
Standing  afar  off  these  poor  sufferers  cried,  "Jesus,  have  mercy  on  us." 
Moved  with  compassion,  Jesus  said:  "Go  show  yourselves   unto  the 
priest."      These    lepers    fully    obeyed,    and  as  they  went  they  were 
cleansed.    One  of  them,  a  Samaritan,  as  soon  as  he  was  cleansed,  with 
his  heart  full  of  gratitude  turned  back  and  with  a  loud  voice  glorified 
God.    Ten  had  been  made  free  from  this  disease,  but  only  one  heard  the 
Savior's  words,  "  Rise  and  go  thy  way;  thy  faith  hath  made  thee  whole." 

XVI.  THE  COMING  OF  CHRIST'S  KINGDOM  (Luke 

17:  20-37). — When  the  Pharisees  demanded  of  the  Savior  the  time  for 
the  coming  of  the  kingdom  he  answered:  "  The  kingdom  cometh  not  by 
observation."  It  is  not  to  be  made  known  by  signs  and  wonders  through 
the  objects  of  nature,  but  through  the  power  of  God  in  the  heart. 

XVII.  THE  PARABLES  OF  PRAYER  (Luke  18:  1-14).— 
Continuing  his  journey  in  Perea  after  he  had  spoken  to  the  people  of  the 
coming  of   the  kingdom  he  gives  the   parable  of  "  The  Importunate 
Widow."     His  teaching  in  this  parable  is  that  in  all  the  years  in  which 
the  church  would  be  looking  for  the  consummation  of  its  hope,  though 
oppressed  by  enemies  and  thus  delayed  in  its  expectation,  it  would  al- 
ways have  reason  to  trust  and  wait.     In  the  promiscuous  company  there 
were  some  present  who  "trusted  in  themselves,  that  they  were  righteous 
and  set  all  others  to  naught."    Two  men  are  standing  in  the  temple,  one 
with  head  erect,  the  other  with  eyes  downcast;  the  former  recounting 
his  deeds,  the  latter  speaking  only  of  his  sins.    Jesus  Jays  this  man,  the 
sinner  who  was  penitent,  went  down  to  his  house  justified  rather  than 
the  other. 

XVIII.  INSTRUCTION    CONCERNING    DIVORCE 

(Matt.  19:3-12;  Mark  10:  2-12). — The  Pharisees  again  asked  Jesus  an  im- 
portant question,  not  so  much  for  information  as  for  the  purpose  of  en- 
tangling him.  He  taught  them  the  sacredness  of  marriage,  which  is 
practical  in  the  church  now,  when  fully  obeyed.  This  teaching  is  vio- 
lated by  many  Christian  people  who  follow  the  liberty  granted  by  the 
civil  law  in  viplation  of  the  divine  command. 

XIX.  BLESSING  LITTLE  CHILDREN  (Matt:  19:  13-15; 
Mark  10:  13-16;  Luke  18:  15-17). — Mothers  brought  their  children  for  a 
blessing,  and  Jesus'  sympathy  was  touched  as  he  looked  upon  them. 
And  when  his  disciples  would  have  sent  the  mothers  away  disappointed 


74 


NEW   TESTAMENT  HISTORY. 


THY  NEIGHBOR 


JlVINE 


05?»x  TOWARD  >'<{/, 

y  ALL 

Go  AND  DO   LIKEWISE. 


he  rebuked  the  disciples  with  the  words,  "Suffer  little  children  to   come 
unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not;  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

XX.  THE  RICH  YOUNG  RULER  (Matt.  19:  16-30;  Mark 
10:  17-31;  Luke  18:  18-30). — 

This  young  man,  strong  in 
his  virtuous  life,  but  not  yet 
satisfied  in  his  heart,  desired 
to  be  taught  the  way  of  life 
by  Jesus  the  great  Teacher. 
Jesus,  discerning  that  with 
all  his  nobility  there  was  in 
his  life  the  fatal  defect  of 
covetousness,  bade  him  dis- 
pose of  his  possessions  for 
the  benefit  of  the  poor.  His 
heart  was  upon  his  posses- 
sions, and  he  turned  away 
from  Jesus  "exceeding  sor- 
rowful, for  he  was  rich."  Je- 
sus said  that  with  difficulty  shall  they  who  have  riches  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven. 

XXI.  PARABLE  OF  THE  LABORERS  (Matt.  20:  1-16). 
— When  Peter  heard  the  Savior's  instruction  in  the  former  paragraph  on 
self-denial  he  said:  "We  have  forsaken  all  and  followed  thee:   what 
shall  we  have  therefore?"    This  question  is  liable  to  arise  in  any  human 
heart.    Jesus  therefore  put  forth  this  parable  in  order  to  chide  the  spirit 
out  of  which  such  an  inquiry  springs  and  to  show  more  fully  that  his 
kingdom  is  a  kingdom  of  grace.    A  householder  is  represented  as  going 
out  early  in  the  morning  to  hire  laborers  to  work  in  his  vineyard.     He 
does  the  same  at  different  intervals.     At  six  o'clock  the  day's  work  was 
ended   and  the   laborers  received  the  same  amount,  regardless  of  the 
number  of  hours  they  worked.    Those  who  worked  the  longest  com- 
plained bitterly  because  their  wages  were  the   same   as   the   wages  of 
those  who  had  served  but  a  few  hours.     In  this  parable  he  aims  to  cor- 
rect the  selfish  and  envious  spirit  which  should  not  be  permitted  to  hin- 
der progress  in  matters  relating  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

XXI I.  THE  THIRD  FORETELLING  OF  HIS  DEATH 

(Matt.  20:  17-19;  Mark  10:  32-34;  Luke  18:  31-34). — Jesus  foretold  his 
death  to  his  disciples  just  before  and  after  the  transfiguration  and  now 
repeats  it  the  third  time  with  greater  explicitness  than  ever  before  that 
the  journey  to  Jerusalem  carries  him  to  his  death.  The  twelve  alone 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY.  75 

were  permitted  to  receive  this  communication;  yet  while  he  spoke  so 
clearly  they  did  not  understand  it. 

XXIII.  THE    AMBITION    OF    JAMES    AND    JOHN 

(Matt.  20:  20-28;  Mark  10:  35-45). — James  and  John  through  their  moth- 
er made  an  appeal  to  Jesus  which  showed  their  misapprehension  of  the 
character  of  the  kingdom.  They  asked  to  be  his  chief  counselors  in  his 
glory,  the  one  sitting  on  his  right  hand  and  the  other  on  his  left.  Jesus 
said:  "  Ye  know  not  what  ye  ask."  The  ten  learned  of  the  special  favor 
sought  by  James  and  John,  and  they  became  indignant.  Jesus  took  the 
opportunity  to  impress  the  following  lesson:  "Whosoever  shall  become 
great  among  you  shall  be  servant  of  all.  For  verily  the  Son  of  man 
came  not  to  be  ministered  unto,  but  to  minister,  and  to  give  his  life  a 
ransom  for  many." 

XXIV.  THE  BLIND    MEN    HEALED    (Matt.  20:   29-34; 
Mark  10:  46-52;  Luke  18:  35-43). — When  Jesus  was  coming  near  to  Jeri- 
cho two  blind  men  as  they  were  begging  by  the  wayside  learned  that  he 
was  passing  and  asked  of  him  a  great  favor.    They  cried:  "Have  mercy 
on  us;"  and  when  the  multitude  asked  them  to  be  quiet  they  cried  the 
more  loudly,  "  Have  mercy  on  us."    They  prayed  that  the  Lord  should 
open  their  eyes,  and  Jesus  answered  their  prayer.     He  stepped  forward 
and  touched  their  eyes,  and  they  saw  as  other  men  and  followed  Jesus. 

XXV.  JESUS  VISITS    ZACCHEUS    (Luke  19:1-10).— 
Many  people  were  on  their  way  with  him  to  Jerusalem,  and  as  he  passed 
through  Jericho  Zaccheus,  a  little  man,  finding  himself  at  a  disadvan- 
tage on  account  of  the  crowd,  ran  ahead  and  climbed  into  a  sycamore 
tree,  so  that  he  might  be  able  to  see  Jesus.    When  Jesus  came  to  the 
tree,  he  saw  Zaccheus  and  said,  "  Make  haste  and  come  down,  for  to- 
day I  must  abide  at  thy  house."     Zaccheus  was  a  chief  of  the  publicans 
of  the  city,  and  had  become  rich  with  the  extortion  which  was  so  com- 
mon with  men  of  his  class.     He  is  ready  for  something  better;  money- 
making  does  not  satisfy  him.     When  Jesus  speaks,  he  obeys  him  gladly. 
The  Jews  are  dissatisfied  and  say,  "  He  has  gone  in  to  lodge  with  a  man 
that  is  a  sinner."     Zaccheus  was  penitent,  ready  to  give  half  of  his  goods 
to  the  poor  and  restore  fourfold  where  he  had  received  money  through 
extortion.    Jesus  again  closed  the  instruction  by  saying,  "  For  the  Son  of 
man  came  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost." 

XXVI.  PARABLE     OF     THE     TEN     PIECES    OF 
MONEY     (Luke  19:  11-28). — Those  who  heard  the  teaching  of  Jesus 
at  the  house  of  Zaccheus  thought  that  great  events  were  near  at  hand, 
which  impressed  them  with   the  idea  of  the  Messianic  Kingdom,  and 
asked  if  that  kingdom  would  come  immediately.     In  order  to  correct 


76  NEW   TESTAMENT  fclSTORY. 

their  misapprehension  as  to  the  time  and  seasons,  and  that  they  might 
not  idly  wait  on  some  great  events  to  happen,  he  taught  them  that  im- 
portant lesson  of  applying  themselves  to  the  great  task  of  obtaining 
spiritual  life  which  he  came  to  reveal.  The  faithful  will  be  rewarded 
and  the  unfaithful  punished. 

XXVII.  THE  ANOINTING  AT  BETHANY  (Matt.  26: 
6-13;  Mark  14:3-9;  John  11:55-12:  11). — Six  days  before  the  Passover 
Jesus  went  to  Bethany  and  visited  his  friends  a  few  days  before  the 
feast.  While  there  they  make  him  a  supper,  and  during  the  supper 
Mary  took  the  costly  ointment  and  anointed  Jesus  "for  his  burial."  Ju- 
das, who  made  the  objection  as  to  the  waste,  had  no  doubt  at  different 
times  taken  from  the  scanty  funds  intrusted  to  him  as  treasurer;  and 
now  he  saw  only  waste  in  this,  and  became  angry  on  account  of  the 
anointing,  and  because  of  the  rebuke  he  made  an  effort  to  betray  the 
Savior.  He  sold  him  for  thirty  pieces  of  silver  to  those  who  constantly 
watched  for  an  opportunity  to  kill  him.  Jesus  rewarded  Mary  for  the 
last  service  she  did,  as  she  remembered  him  in  his  suffering  which  was 
still  in  the  future. 

QUESTIONS. 

Give  the  opening  and  closing  events  of  this  period. 

Where  did  Jesus  go  after  they  threatened  to  stone  him? 

Why  go  into  this  region? 

Give  the  parable  of  the  midnight  petitioner. 

Do  we  need  instruction  in  prayer? 

What  ceremonies  did  they  neglect? 

What  lesson  of  trust  did  he  teach' 

Why  call  this  a  foolish  rich  man? 

What  does  he  illustrate  by  the  parable  of  the  barren  fig  tree? 

How  long  was  the  woman  afflicted? 

Why  did  the  Jews  object? 

Who  advised  him  to  leave  the  country? 

Who  invited  them  to  the  feast? 

Why  should  we  count  the  cost? 

Name  the  three  parables  concerning  the  lost. 

Who  is  represented  by  the  elder  brother? 

What  is  meant  by  mammon? 

What  was  the  home  of  the  rich  man  and  Lazarus? 

How  does  Jesus  illustrate  the  power  of  faith? 

Where  was  Jesus  when  Mary  and  Martha  sent  for  him? 

Why  did  Jesus  not  go  immediately? 

Where  did  Martha  meet  Jesus? 

What  had  become  of  Lazarus? 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

What  did  Mary  do  when  she  met  Jesus? 

What  effect  had  the  miracle  upon  the  Jews? 

How  many  lepers  gave  gratitude  to  the  healer? 

How  is  the  kingdom  not  to  come? 

What  is  taught  by  the  parable  of  the  importunate  widow? 

How  did  the  Pharisee  pray? 

Why  ask  him  the  question  on  divorce? 

Who  brought  the  little  children  to  be  blessed? 

Why  was  he  to  sell  his  possessions? 

Why  give  the  parable  of  the  laborers? 

Why  pay  each  man  the  same  wages? 

How  often  did  Jesus  foretell  his  death? 

What  special  favor  did  James  and  John  ask? 

Where  did  he  meet  the  two  blind  men  that  he  healed? 

How  were  they  healed? 

How  did  Zaccheus  receive  Jesus? 

Why  was  he  ready  to  restore  fourfold? 

What  lessons  are  taught  in  the  parable  of  the  ten  pieces  of  money? 

How  long  before  the  Passover  was  Jesus  anointed? 

Why  did  Mary  anoint  him? 

Who  objected  to  the  anointing  of  Jesus,  and  why? 


77 


THE  GOSPEL  OF   CHRIST. 


CHAPTER  VIII.— THE  PERIOD  OF  THE 
PASSION  WEEK. 


From  the  Anointing  for  Burial,  Saturday  Evening,  April,  A.  D.  30, 

to  Resurrection,  Sunday  Morning,  April, 

A.  D.  jo,-  8  Days. 

I.  THE  TRIUMPHAL  ENTRY  (Matt.  21:  i-ii;  Mark  11:  i- 
n;  Luke  19:  29-44;  John  12:  12-19). — After  Jesus  had  reached  Bethany 
news  was  carried  to  the  Jews  at  Jerusalem  of  his  arrival.     Great  crowds 
resorted  thither,  not  only  to  see  Jesus,  but  also  Lazarus  who  had  been  re- 
stored to  life.    The  decision  made  by  the  Sanhedrim  to  put  Jesus  to 
death  could  not  be  carried  out  because  the  common  people  believed  in 
him  and  the  time  had  not  come  for  the  rulers  to  take  him.     On  the  first 
day  of  the  Holy  Week,  Sunday,  Jesus  proceeded  towards  Bethphage  and 
sent  two  of  his  disciples  to  bring  the  animal  on  which  he  was  to  ride  into 
the  Holy  City.    The  road  from  Bethany  to  Jerusalem  was  crowded  with 
pilgrims  making  their  way  to  the   Holy  City  to  attend  the   Passove^ 
Among  these  were  many  who  had  witnessed  the  Savior's  miracles  in  Gal- 
ilee and  later  learned  of  the  remarkable  events  at  Bethany  which  in- 
creased their  enthusiasm  for  the  Master.    The  heart  of  the  people  there- 
fore was  deeply  stirred,  and  the  disciples,  filled  with  general  excitement, 
placed  garments  upon  the  animal  on  which  Jesus  was  to  ride  into  the 
city.     The  crowds  expressed  their  joy  on  the  way  by  putting  garments 
on  the  rough  path;  others  cut  down  branches  from  the  trees  and  threw 
them  in  the  road  before  him,  and  as  they  approached 

the  city  many  came  from  there  and  swelled  the  mov- 
ing procession,  with  loud  hosannas  glorifying  God. 
Jesus,  by  this  royal  entry  into  the  city,  asserted  his 
Messiahship.  In  the  evening  with  the  twelve  apos- 
tles he  quietly  returned  to  Bethany. 

II.  CURSING   THE  FIG  TREE  (Matt.  21:  18,  19;  Mark  11: 
12-14). — Early  Monday  morning,  as  Jesus  and  the  apostles  were  on  their 
way  to  the  Holy  City,  Jesus  noticed  by  the  wayside  a  fig  tree  in  leaf  and, 
as  the  fruit  of  the  fig  appears  before  the  leaves,  in  this  green  foliage  Je- 
sus expected  fruit  to  satisfy  his  hunger.     He  went  to  the  tree  and  found 
it  barren  and  said,  "  Let  there  be  no  fruit  from  thee  henceforth  and  for- 
ever."   The  tree  made  a  show  of  leaves,  but  had  no  fruit.    The  hypo- 
crite can  see  his  photograph  in  the  display  of  leaves,  and  his  doom  in 
the  withered  fig  tree. 

(78) 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  79 

III.  SECOND  CLEANSING  OF  THE  TEMPLE  (Matt. 
21:12-18;   Mark  M  :  15-19;   Luke  19:45-48). — About  three  years  have 
passed  since  Jesus  attended  the  first  Passover  after  entering  upon  his 
ministry,  and  rebuked  the  Jews  for  violating  the  sacredness  of  the 
Temple.    He  again  drives  out  the  buyers,  the  sellers  and  the  money 
changers,  upsets  their  tables  and  pours  forth  their  ill-gotton  gains  and 
declares  in  words  of  authority  "that  his  house  is  not  for  thievish  traffic," 
but  for  prayer  and  praise.     Thus  he  concludes  the  work  of  Monday  and 
returns  with  his  disciples  to  Bethany  to  spend  the  night. 

IV.  FINDING  THE  FIG  TREE  WITHERED  (Matt.  21: 
20-22;  Mark  11:20-26). — Early  Tuesday  morning  on  their  way  to  the 
Holy  City  the  disciples  observed   with  surprise  how   rapidly  the   tree 
cursed  the  day  before  had  withered  away.    Jesus  took  this  occasion  to 
teach  his  disciples  that  they  must  have  faith  in  God  in  order  to  receive 
the  things  which  in  prayer  they  seek. 

V.  CHRIST'S  AUTHORITY  QUESTIONED  (Matt.  21: 
23-27;  Mark  11:  27-33;  Luke  20:  1-8). — Immediately  after  arriving  in  the 
Temple  Jesus  began  to  teach  the  people,  but  was  interrupted  by  the  ar- 
rival of  chief  priests  and  elders  who  demanded  of  him  his  authority  in 
holding  the  position  of  a  rabbi.    Jesus  replied  to  them  in  the  form  of  a 
question  which  they  could  not  answer:     "  The  baptism  of  John,  whence 
was  it?     From  heaven,  or  from  men."    They  deny  John's  heavenly  mis- 
sion if  they  answer  from  men,  and  enrage  the  common  people;  if  they 
answer  from  heaven,  they  condemn  themselves,  because  they  had  not 
obeyed  him.    They  refuse  to  answer  the  question,  and  Jesus   likewise 
declines  answering  the  question  respecting  his  authority. 

VI.  THREE  PARABLES  OF   WARNING*  (Matt.  21:  28- 
22:  14;  Mark  12:  1-12;  Luke  20:  9-19). — Jesus  follows  up  this  advantage 
he  had  of  them  with  these  parables  which  are  terrible  in  their  rebuke 
and  threatenings. 

1.  The  Two  Sons. — The  heart  of  this  parable  is  presented  in  these 
words,  "  Verily  I  say  unto  you  that  the  publicans  and  harlots  go  into  the 
kingdom  of  God  before  you."    This  is  the  startling  message  he  put  at 
these  proud  religionists  who  had  but  a  few  minutes  before  demanded  of 
Jesus  a  reason  why  they  should  allow  him  to  teach  in  the  Temple. 

2.  The  Wicked  Husbandmen. — Here  Jesus  sets    forth  a  graphic 
picture  of  the  wickedness  of  the  rulers  during  their  past  history  as  a 
people.    The  householder 'had  great  possessions  which  were  obtained 
through  great  care  and  labor,  which  he  let  out  to  husbandmen.    When 
the  householder  sends  his  servants  to  collect  the  fruit  of  the  owner,  the 
husbandmen  beat,  stone  and  kill  them,  and  at  last  the  householder  sends 


80  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

his  own  Son,  and  he  is  put  to  death.  After  setting  forth  this  parable  Je- 
sus asked,  "What  will  he  do  unto  these  husbandmen?"  Many  answer, 
"  He  will  miserably  destroy  these  wicked  men,  and  let  the  vineyard  out 
to  other  husbandmen."  No  sooner  had  they  answered  than  they  realized 
that  in  the  picture  they  had  pronounced  judgment  upon  themselves. 

3.  The  Marriage  of  the  King's  Son. — In  the  first  parable  Jesus 
showed  how  they  had  pretended  to  do  the  will  of  God  but  had  failed  to 
do  it.  In  the  second,  their  cruel  treatment  of  God's  servants,  and  they 
were  about  to  put  his  Son  to  death.  And  in  this  parable  he  illustrates 
their  rejection  of  his  grace.  They  scorned  the  invitation  given  to  the 
heavenly  feast,  murdered  those  who  invited  them.  The  king  sent  his 
armies;  destroyed  the  murderers  and  burned  their  city  and  offered  to 
others  the  joy  and  grace  that  they  had  rejected. 

VII.  THE  FOUR  QUESTIONS  (Matt.  22:  15-46;  Mark  12: 
13-37;  Luke  20:  20-44). — Thus  far  the  Savior's  authority  remains  un- 
shaken by  the  common  people.  The  ruling  powers  had  been  humiliated 
by  his  practical  teaching  in  the  very  midst  of  the  temple  court.  The 
Pharisees,  Sadducees  and  Herodians  united  in  one  formidable  conspira- 
cy and  suborned  men  to  propose  various  questions  of  conscience  to  him 
for  an  answer. 

1.  The  Pharisees'  Question  about  Tribute.— Some  of  the   Phar- 
isees, in  company  with  the  Herodians,  came  to  Jesus  for  an  answer  to  the 
question  that  had  caused  much  disturbance  especially  in  Galilee.     He 
must  on  the  one  hand  avoid  giving  offense  to  the  excited  crowd  of  com- 
mon people  in  the  temple  court,  and  on  the  other  avoid  supplying  mat- 
ter for  accusation  before  the  Roman  Governor.    Jesus  now  calls  for  the 
tribute  money'and  asks,  "\\hose  image  and   superscription  is  this?" 
They  answer,  "  Caesar's."    Jesus  replies,  "  Render  therefore  to  Caesar-  the 
things  that  are  Caesar's,  and  to  God  the  things  that  are  God's." 

2.  The    Sadducees'    Question    about  the    Resurrection.  —  The 

Pharisees  and  Herodians  thus  repulsed,  the  Sadducees  approached. 
They  presented  a  religious  difficulty  respecting  the  position  in  another 
world  of  a  woman  who  had  seven  husbands  in  this  world.  Jesus  said: 
"  Ye  do  err,  not  knowing  the  Scriptures,  nor  the  power  of  God."  These 
earthly  relationships  will  cease  with  this  life  and  in  the  next  world  man 
will  be  exalted  to  a  higher  order  of  beings  through  the  power  of  God. 

3.  The  Lawyer's  Question  About  the  Great  Commandment.— 

Having  put  to  silence  the  Herodians  and  Sadducees  a  question  is  now 
presented  to  him  by  a  Jewish  lawyer  belonging  to  the  Pharisaic  sect,  on 
which  two  rabbinical  schools  differed.  If  Jesus  took  the  one  side  the 
other  would  be  offended.  The  answer  that  Jesus  gave  comprised  the 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  SI 

whole  of  religion  under  the  precepts  of  love  to  God  and  love  to  man. 
The  questioner  himself  frankly  owned  that  such  love  is  better  than  all 
burnt  offerings  and  sacrifices. 

4.  Christ's  Unanswerable  Question. — Having  put  to  silence  the 
united  efforts  of  these  conspirators  Jesus  now  asked  them  a  question: 
"Whose  son   is  the  Christ?"  "David's,"  they   replied   easily.    "How 
then  doth  David   in  spirit  call  him  Lord?"    And  no  one  was  able  to 
answer  him  a  word.     He  had  silenced  them  in  answering  their  own 
question  and  pointed  out  their  weakness  in  refusing  to  answer  his  ques- 
tions. 

VIII.  CHRIST'S    DENUNCIATION    OF     SCRIBES 
AND  PHARISEES  (Matt.  23:1-39;  Mark  12:38-40;  Luke  20:45- 
47). — After  Jesus  had  silenced  these  conspirators  they  were  constrained 
to  listen  as  he  denounced  their  hypocrisy  and  tyranny. 

1.  Their  Desire  for  Display. — Jesus  said  to  his  disciples  that  they 
should  beware  of  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees  who  occupy  chief  seats  and 
pretend  to  be  religious  by  putting  on  long  robes  and  making  display  of 
the  external,  but  lack  piety  in  the  heart;  who  also  make  the  poor  widows 
poorer  and  make  long  prayers  and  lay  burdens  upon  others  that  they 
themselves  do  not  respect. 

2.  Their  False  Zeal  for  Proselytes.  — Jesus    now   turns    to   the 
Scribes  and  Pharisees  themselves  and  declares  solemnly  that  they  shut 
up  the  kingdom  of  God  against  men,  not  going  in  themselves  and  hin- 
dering others  from  going. 

3.  Their  Folly  About  Oaths.— He   calls  them  blind  guides  and 
denounces  their  false  teaching  concerning  the  oaths  taken  by  the  Tem- 
ple or  by  the  altar. 

3.  Their  Zeal  for  Things  Least  Important.— They  make  much 
of  little  things  and  little  of  great  things;  make  a  display  outwardly,  but 
within  are  full  of  hypocrisy  and  iniquity. 

5.  Their  Fathers  Imitated.— They  claim  that  if  they  had  lived  in 
the  days  of  their  fathers  they  would  not  have  been  partakers  with  them 
in  slaying  the  prophets.     But  they  are  the  children  of  the  fathers  and 
are  guilty  of  the  same  deeds  when  Jesus  denounces  them. 

6.  Lamentation  Over  Jerusalem. — The  time  of  mercy  has  gone 
by  when  he  would  have  gathered  the  children  of  Jerusalem  as  a  hen 
gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wing  for  comfort  and  protection. 

IX.  THE   WIDOW'S    MITE  (Mark  12:41-44;  Luke  21:1-4). 
— After  this  stern  denunciation  of  the  ruling  powers,  who,  veiling  their 
malice  and  wickedness  under  the  pretense  of  righteousness,  had  sought 
to  entrap  him,  Jesus  sat  down  opposite  the  treasury  in  the  court  of  the 


82  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

women  and  beheld  the  people  casting  in  their  voluntary  gifts.  Among 
the  rest  he  noticed  a  certain  poor  widow  who  had  in  her  possession  only 
two  mites,  both  of  which  she  cast  into  the  treasury,  not  realizing  that 
special  attention  would  be  called  to  it.  Because  of  her  pious,  sacri- 
ficing spirit  it  was  declared  that  she  had  cast  in  more  than  all  the  rest, 
and  that  this  gift  should  be  known  till  the  end  of  time. 

X.  THE  GREEKS  SEEK  JESUS  (John  12:20-36).— While 
Jesus  was  still  in  the  court  of  the  women  two  of  the  apostles,  Andrew 
and  Philip,  approached  him  with  the  strange  announcement  that  the 
Greeks  who  had   come  to  the   feast  desired  to  see  him.    They  had 
learned  of  this  great  teacher  and  desired  to  look  upon  him  with  their 
own  eyes.     No  sooner  had  he  learned  of  their  desire  than  he  began  to 
unfold  the  secret  of  real  fruit-bearing  by  using  the  illustration  of  the 
planting  of  the  corn  of  wheat.    After  he  had  given  them  this  wonderful 
lesson  of  self-denial  the  company  was  startled  by  hearing  a  sound  which 
but  few  in  the  company  discerned  as  the  voice  from  heaven  saying,  "  I 
have  both  glorified  it,  and  will  glorify  it  again." 

XI.  THE  JEWS  REJECT  JESUS  (John   12:37-50).— After 
giving  his  final  warning  to  the  ruling  powers  he  departed  from  the  tem- 
ple and  hid  himself  from  them.    After  doing  many  mighty  works  in  the 
Jewish  nation,  yet  they  would  not  believe  on  him. 

XII.  THE  DISCOURSE  ON   JUDGMENT  (Matt.  24:1- 
25:51;  Mark  13:1-37;  Luke  21:5-38). — Jesus  and  his  disciples  now  left 
the  Temple  (and  as  a  Teacher  he  left  the  Temple  forever),  and  they 
went  on  the  road  leading  to  Bethany.    After  they  had  crossed  the  Kid- 
ron  and  had  come  to  the  top  of  Mt.  Olivet  Jesus  sat  down  to  rest;  his 
disciples  began  to  invite  his  attention  to  the  magnificence  and  solidity 
of  the  beautiful   Temple  from  which  they  had  just  come.     However, 
their  words  of  admiration  were  followed  by  the  prophecy  "that  a  day 
was  coming  when  not  one  of  these  massive  stones  should  be  left  stand- 
ing one  upon  another."    And  then  follows,  in  answer  to  the  question  put 
by  the  disciples,  "When  shall  these  things  be?"  a  further  announce- 
ment of  the  destruction  of  the  city  and  the  end  of  the  world.     He  told 
them  that  they  should  watch  therefore,  for  they  knew  not  on  what  day 
their  Lord  would  come.     He  further  emphasizes 

the  necessity  of  watchfulness  and  preparation  for       CA\^\\_VAE 

this  coming  by  reciting  the  parables  of  the  ten        **  \\ 

virgins  and  the  ten  talents,  concluding  with  the 

following  words    found   in    the  second    parable: 

"There  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth." 

He  closed  the  discourse  with  a  distinct  declaration 

of  the  events  that  are  to  occur  on  the  awful  day 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY.  83 

when  the  Redeemer  shall  come  in  his  glory  to  judge  the  living  and  the 
dead. 

XIII.  CONSPIRACY     OF    CHIEF    PRIESTS     AND 
JUDAS  (Matt.  26:1-5,  I4-I6;  Mark  14:  1,2,  10,  n;  Luke  22:  1-6). — 
After  Jesus  had  closed  the  solemn  prophecies  of  the  judgments  to  come 
and  of  his  second  coming,  he  spoke  to  his  disciples  saying:  "  Ye  know 
that  after  two  days  is  the  feast  of  the  Passover,  and  the  Son  of  man  is 
betrayed  to  be  crucified."    After  this  Jesus  returned  to  Bethany  and 
remained  there  Wednesday  and  the  greater  part  of  Thursday.     During 
this  time  the  rulers  of  the  Jewish  nation  were  holding  a  formal  consulta- 
tion as  to  the  best  means  of  putting  him  to  death.    Judas  was  offered 
thirty  pieces  of  silver  to  betray  the  Holy  One,  and  loving  the  money 
more  than  his  Lord  he  accepted  the  offer. 

XIV.  THE    LORD'S    SUPPER  (Matt.  26:17-35;   Mark   14: 
12-21;  Luke  22:  7-38;  John  13:1-38). — The  time  has  come  to  make  ar- 
rangements for  the  celebration  of  the  Passover. 

1.  Preparation  for  the  Passover. — The  disciples  inquired  of  the 
Redeemer  where  he  intended  to  celebrate  this  feast,  and  in  reply  Jesus 
sent  Peter  and  John  saying:  "  Go  and  prepare  us  the  Passover,  that  we 
may  eat;  "  and  when  they  came  to  Jerusalem  they  found  the  room  as  Je- 
sus had  predicted  and  directed.    After  they  had  made   the  necessary 
arrangements,  securing  the  lamb  at  the  Temple,  Jesus  and  the  apostles 
came  from  Bethany  and  the  twelve  repaired  to  the  upper  room.     While 
they  were  in  the  upper  room  a  meal  was  prepared  and  they  were  reclin- 
ing at  the  table. 

2.  As  They  Were  Sitting  at  the  Table  Jesus  washed  the  disci- 
ples' feet,  presenting  to  them  the  lesson  of  humility.    And  he  further 
enforced  the  lesson  of  equality  by  saying:  "If  I  then,  your  Lord  and 
Master  have  washed  your  feet;  ye  also  ought  to  wash  one  another's 
feet." 

3.  The  Betrayal  Predicted. — After  resuming  his  place  at  the  ta- 
ble the  supper  continued  and  he  said:  "One  of  you  shall  betray  me." 
At  length  they  each  began  to  ask:  "  Is  it  I  ? "     Even  Judas  himself,  the 
traitor,  said,  "  Is  it  I  ? " 

4.  The  New  Commandment.-— After  Judas  had  gone  out  Jesus 
told  his  disciples  that  he  would  be  with  them  but  a  short  time  and  gives 
them  the  commandment  of  love. 

5.  The  Bread  and  Cup. — At  the  conclusion  of  the  supper  the  bread 
and  wine  were  instituted,  which  represented  Christ's  body  and  blood. 

6.  Peter's  Denial  Foretold.— The  Savior  now  spoke  to  the  apos- 
tles and  told  them  how  they  would  forsake  him  in  the  trying  hour.    This 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


the  apostles  would  not  believe,  and  Peter  said,  "Though  all  men  shall 
be  offended  because  of  thee,  yet  will  I  never  be  offended."  And  Jesus 
knew  his  heart  and  said,  "  I  tell  thee,  Peter,  the  cock  shall  not  crow  this 
day  before  thou  shalt  thrice  deny  that  thou  knowest  me." 

XV.  CHRIST'S  FAREWELL  DISCOURSE  (John  14: 
1-16:  33). — In  these  chapters  Jesus  gives  his  farewell  discourses  to  his 
disciples. 

I.  The  Mansions  Promised.— He  said  to  them,  as  the  desolate- 
ness  of  their  approaching  sit- 
uation weighed  them  down, 
"  Let  not  your  heart  be  trou- 
bled," and  he  gave  them  as- 
surance that  if  they  would 
ask  anything  in  his  name  he 
would  do  it. 

2.  The  Comforter  Prom- 
ised.— As  Jesus  was  about 
to  leave  them  he  gave  them 
the  assurance  that  another 
Comforter  would  come,  who 
would  give  them  strength 
and  lead  them  into  all  truth. 
He  further  told  them  that  it 
was  expedient  for  him  to  go  away,  so  that  the  Comforter  might  come. 

3.  Christ  the  True  Vine. — Jesus  again  teaches  the  close  relation- 
ship between  himself  and  his  followers.    They  must  be  like  the  branches 
of  the  tree  connected  with  the  tree  in  order  to  receive  nourishment.     Un- 
less the  followers  abide  in  Christ  they  can  not  bear  fruit. 

4.  The  Duty  of  Love. — The  disciples  are  commanded  to  love  each 
other  as  Jesus  loved  them;  and  he  further  enforces  the  teaching  by  tell- 
ing them  that  they  did  not  choose  him,  but  he  had  chosen  them  and  or- 
dained them  to  be  fruit-bearers. 

5.  The  World's  Hatred. — The  Savior  taught  his  followers  the 
truth  that  they  would  be  loved  by  the  world  if  they  were  of  the  world, 
and  that  just  as  the  world  hated  Jesus,  so  the  disciples  must  expect  to 
be  hated  by  the  world. 

6.  The  Comforter's  Work.— After  the  Holy  Spirit  came  the  world 
would  be  reproved  of  sin  and  judgment.    Jesus  had  yet  many  things  to 
teach  the  disciples,  but  they  were  not  far  enough  advanced  to  under- 
stand them. 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  85 

7.  The  Savior's  Home  Going. — Only  a  few  days  more  and  his 
work  was  to  come  to  an  end.  He  was  anticipating  his  return  to  the 
glory  that  he  had  left  in  coming  to  prepare  the  way  for  salvation,  and 
closed  his  discourse  by  saying:  "I  have  overcome  the  world,"  which  is 
necessary  for  every  follower  of  Jesus  to  do. 

XVI.  THE  PRAYER  OF  CHRIST    (John  17:  1-26).— After 
giving  the  comforting  words  contained  in  the  sermon,  the  Savior  in  the 
presence  of  his  disciples  offered  up  this  remarkable  prayer,  worthy  of 
careful  study  by  every  follower  of  Christ. 

1.  Prayer  for  Himself. — Jesus,  in  speaking  to  the  Father,  asks  to 
be  glorified  as  his  Son.     He  had  glorified  the  Father  on  the  earth  during 
his  mission  and  finished  the  work  that  was  given  him,  and  now  desired 
to  be  restored  to  the  same  glory  he  enjoyed  even  before  the  world  was. 

2.  Prayer  for  Present  Disciples. — Jesus,  in  speaking  to  the   Fa- 
ther, tells  him  how  he  manifested  his  name  to  those  that  had  come  out 
of  the  world  and  had  been  kept  by  the  word.     He  comforted  the  disci- 
ples by  telling  them  that  he  would  continue  to  speak  to  the  Father  on 
their  behalf,  and  that  they  would  be  kept  by  the  Father.     He  further 
asked  that  they  might  be  sanctified  through  the  truth.    Continually  our 
Savior  is  pleading  with  the  Father  that  his  children  may  be  kept  from 
the  evil  and  made  holy  through  the  truth. 

3.  Prayer  for  the  Future  Disciples. — While  the  former  was  com- 
forting to  the  disciples  who  were  present  with  the  Master,  he  did  not 
forget  to  put  on  record  a  living  prayer  for  every  one  that  accepts  him  as 
his  Savior.    He  pleaded  that  there  might  be  unity  among  his  followers, 
and  that  when  they  were  through  with  their  mission  here  they  would 
enjoy  his  holy  presence  in  heaven. 

XVII.  THE  AGONY    IN   GETHSEMANE  (Matt.  26:  36- 
46;  Mark  14:  32-42;  Luke  22:  39-46;  John  18:  i). — On  reaching  this  gar- 
den with  the  apostles  he  left  the  greater  number  at  the  outskirts,  while 
with  Peter,  James  and  John  he  went  further  into  the  shadow  of  the  over- 
hanging olive  trees.     Here  he  began  to  be  sore  amazed  and  asked  the 
three  to  watch  while  he  went  a  short  distance  from  them  to  engage  in 
prayer.     Here  in  agony  our  Savior  realized  the  burden  of  sin  that  was 
upon  him  and  drops  of  blood  stood  upon  his  face.     He  went  three  times 
to  his  apostles,  and  each  time  found  them  sleeping.     He  says:  "Not  my 
will,  but  thy  will,  O  Lord,  be  done."    This  is  his  conquering  cry.     While 
the  three,  weary  with  watching  and  recent  cares,  had  fallen  asleep,  the 
eight  were  probably  beyond  the  hearing  of  his  groans  and  cries.    He 
says,  "Arise,  let  us  be  going:  behold,  he  is  at  hand  that  doth  betray 
me." 


86  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

XVIII.  THE    BETRAYAL   AND    ARREST    (Matt.  26: 
47-56;  Mark  14:  43-52;  Luke  22:  47-53;  John  18:  2-12).— When  the  dis- 
ciples learned  that  the  betrayer  was  at  hand  drowsiness  was  all  driven 
from  their  eyes,  and  listening  they  heard  the  tramp  of  many  feet  and 
saw  the  gleam  of  lanterns  and  torches.    Judas,  now  the  traitor,  stepped 
forward  and  kissed  Jesus  as  if  to  manifest  his  devotion;  but  it  was  the 
sign  agreed  upon  by  which  he  was  to  identify  the  Master  to  the  mob 
that  came  to  arrest  him.     Peter  now,  in  his  impulsive  courage,  took  his 
sword  and  cut  off  the  ear  of  Malchus,  a  servant  of  the  high  priest.    Je- 
sus rebuked  Peter  and  healed  the  wound,  and  then  surrendered  himself 
to  the  arresting  party.    At  this  the  disciples  were  panic-stricken  and 
scattered  and  hid.     Their  last  hope  of  the  Messiah  had  crumbled  to 
pieces. 

XIX.  THE   TRIAL  OF  JESUS  (Matt.  26:  57-27:  30;   Mark 
14:  53-15:  19;  Luke  22:  54-23:  25;  John  18:  13-19:  15). — After  the   Ro- 
man guard  and  officers  had  arrested  Jesus  they  led  him  over  the  Kidron 
into  the  city  of  Jerusalem. 

1.  Before  Annas. — It  was  either  suggested  by  some  of  the  ruling 
powers  or  in  harmony  with  custom  that  Jesus  was   first  taken  to  the 
palace  of  Annas,  the  father-in-law  of   Caiaphas,  for  trial.    While  here 
one  of  the  officers  struck  Jesus  with  the  palm  of  his  hand. 

2.  Before  Caiaphas  and  the  Sanhedrim. — Annas  then  sent  him 
to  Caiaphas,  where  the  scribes  and  the  elders  were  in  session.    Those 
who  held  Jesus  mocked  him  and  smote  him,  and  after  blindfolding  him 
they  struck  him  on  the  face  and  asked  him  saying,  Who  is  it  that  smote 
thee?    The  Sanhedrim  sought  for  testimony  and  did  not  find  any  by 
which  he  could  be  condemned  and  put  to  death.    The  high  priest  ac- 
cused him  of  blasphemy,  and  for  this  they  decided  that  he  was  guilty  of 
death. 

3.  The  Denials  of  Peter.— Peter  during  this  time  had  followed  Je- 
sus afar  off  and  was  without  in  the  palace.     He  denied  three  times  that 
he  was  a  follower  of  Jesus;  and  as  he  made  these  denials  the  cock  crew, 
and  he  remembered  the  sayings  of  his  Master  and  went  out  and  wept 
bitterly. 

4.  The  Condemnation  of  the  Sanhedrim. — Early  in  the  morning 
the  Sanhedrim  met  and  decided  that  Jesus  was  worthy  of  death,  and  he 
was  bound  and  led  away  to  Pontius  Pilate,  the  governor. 

5.  The  Death  of  Judas. — When  Judas  saw  that  Jesus  was  con- 
demned he  brought  back  the  thirty  pieces  of  silver  to  those  from  whom 
he  had  received  them,  and  said,  "  I  have  sinned  in  that  I  have  betrayed 
innocent  blood."    Not  being  able  to  undo  his  evil  deed  he  went  out  and 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  87 

Committed  suicide.     It  is  better  never  to  take   money  for  that  which 
must  leave  a  guilty  conscience  and  lead  to  final  ruin. 

6.  Before  Pilate. — Jesus  is  now  on  trial  before  the  governor.    After 
the  Jews  presented  many  false  accusations  against  him,  Pilate  said,  "  I 
find  no  fault  in  this  man." 

7.  Before  Herod. — When    Pilate  learned  that  he  was   a  Galilean 
and  belonged  to  Herod's  jurisdiction,  he  sent  Jesus  to  Herod  who  him- 
self also  was  at  Jerusalem  at  that  time.     It  pleased  Herod  that  he  had 
an  opportunity  to  see  him,  for  he  hoped  to  see  him  perform  some  mir- 
acles.   The  chief  priests  and  scribes  stood  by  and  brought  all  kinds  of 
false  accusations  against  him.     Herod  and  his  men  mocked  him  and  ar- 
rayed him  in  a  gorgeous  robe  and  sent  him  again  to  Pilate. 

8.  Before  Pilate. — After  he  returned,  Pilate  called  the  chief  priests 
and  rulers  of  the  people  and  told  them  that  he  had  carefully  looked  into 
the  accusations  and  found  no  fault  in  this  man.     It  was  customary  at  the 
feast  to  release  a  prisoner,  and  Pilate  took  this  opportunity  to  ask  them 
whether  he  should  release  unto  them  Barabbas  or  Jesus,  and  they  an- 
swered, "  Barabbas."     Pilate  then  said  to  them:    "  What  then  shall  I  do 
with  Jesus,  which  is  called  the  Christ?     They  all  say  unto  him,  Let  him 
be  crucified."     Pilate  washed  his  hands  as  a  pretense  of  innocence  of 
the  blood  of  the  just  person.     But  his  guilt  was  not  upon  his  hands,  but 
in  his  heart,  in  pleasing  the  people  when  he  might  have  saved  the  inno- 
cent Jesus,  who  is  now  scourged  and  delivered  to  be  crucified.     They 
put  upon  him  a  scarlet  robe,  a  crown  of  thorns  upon  his  head,  a  reed  in 
his  hand.    They  struck  him  with  their  hands,  spit  upon  him  and  struck 
him  on  the  head  with  a  reed.     Pilate  again  brought  Jesus  forth  with  a 
purple  robe  and  a  crown  of  thorns  and  declared  to  the  Jews  that  he 
found  no  fault  in  him,  and  they  cried  again,  "Crucify  him.'  crucify  him!" 

XX.  THE  CRUCIFIXION  OF  JESUS  (Matt.  27:31-56; 
Mark  15:  20-41 ;  Luke  23:  26-49;  Jonn  I9: 16-30).— After  they  had  mocked 
him  they  put  on  him  his  own  garments  and  led  him  away  to  be  crucified. 
On  the  way  to  Calvary  Simon  of  Cyrene  bore  Jesus'  cross,  compelled  to 
do  so  by  the  soldiers.  At  Calvary  they  placed  the  cross  upon  the 
ground,  and  having  placed  the  body  of  Jesus  upon  it  they  nailed  him 
there.  Then  the  cross  with  its  suffering  burden  was  raised  to  its  place. 
After  he  was  on  the  cross  but  a  short  time  Jesus  made  his  first  utterance 
by  saying,  "Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do." 
When  one  of  the  thieves,  who  were  crucified  with  him,  asked  to  be  re- 
membered by  him,  he  answered:  "Verily  I  say  unto  you,  To  day  shall 
thou  be  with  me  in  paradise."  His  mother  stood  by  the  cross  and  Jesus 
said  to  John  who  also  stood  there:  "  Behold  thy  mother,"  thus  providing 
for  her  future  support  and  protection.  As  the  darkness  was  settling 


88  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

down  upon  the  city  Jesus  cried:  "  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  for- 
saken me?  "  Then  a  little  later,  feeling  the  torture  of  the  fever  of  the 
crucifixion,  he  cried,  "  I  thirst."  As  he  approached  the  close  of  the  suf- 
fering he  uttered  the  words  of  triumph:  "  It  is  finished,"  and  then  with 
the  cry,  "  Father,  into  thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit,"  he  closed  his 
earthly  mission.  Darkness  continued  from  noon  until  three  o'clock. 
Jerusalem  was  shaken  by  an  earthquake  so  that  even  the  rocks  were 
rent  asunder.  The  veil  of  the  temple  was  rent.  The  graves  were 
opened  and  many  bodies  of  the  saints  which  slept  arose. 

XXI.  JESUS'  BURIAL  (Matt.  27:57-61;  Mark  15:42-47;  Luke 
23:  50-56;  John  19:  31-42). — The  Jews  would  not  allow  the  body  to  re- 
main upon  the  cross  because  of  the  Sabbath  day.    Joseph,  a  counsellor, 
a  just  and  good  man,  went  to  Pilate  and  asked  for  the  body  of  Jesus. 
Pilate  permitted  him  to  have  the  body,  and  Joseph  laid  the  body  of  Jesus 
in  his  own  new  tomb.    The  women  returned  and  prepared  spices  and 
ointments  for  the  purpose  of  anointing  the  body  after  the  Sabbath. 

XXII.  THE   GUARDS  AT  THE  SEPULCHER  (Matt. 
27:  62-66). — The  day  after  the  preparation  the  chief  priests  and  elders 
met  and  made  arrangements  to  have  the  sepulcher  made  secure  until 
the  third  day  for  fear  the  disciples  would  go  and  steal  the  body  and  re- 
port to  the  people  that  he  had  risen  from  the  dead  as  he  had  prophesied 
he  would.     Pilate  told  them  that  they  had  a  watch  and  they  should  make 
it  as  sure  as  they  could. 

QUESTIONS. 

Give  the  opening  and  closing  events  of  this  period. 

On  what  day  did  Jesus  go  into  Jerusalem? 

Give  the  description  of  this  journey. 

When  and  where  did  he  curse  the  fig  tree? 

How  many  times  did  Jesus  cleanse  the  temple? 

On  what  day  did  they  find  the  fig  tree  withered? 

Name  the  three  parables  of  warning. 

What  are  the  four  questions? 

What  is  the  great  commandment? 

In  what  particulars  does  Jesus  denounce  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees? 

How  did  they  imitate  their  fathers? 

Why  was  the  widow  rewarded  for  casting  in  two  mites? 

Why  did  the  Greeks  seek  Jesus? 

Why  refer  to  the  "planting  of  a  corn  of  wheat  "? 

Where  and  what  was  his  discourse  on  judgment? 

Who  was  to  go  and  prepare  the  Passover? 

When  did  they  eat  the  supper  in  the  upper  room? 

When  did  he  wash  the  disciples'  feet? 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  89 

What  is  represented  by  the  bread  and  cup? 

What  promises  are  made  in  the  farewell  discourse? 

What  does  Christ  pray  for  in  the  seventeenth  chapter  of  John's  Gospel? 

Give  the  description  of  Jesus  in  Gethsemane? 

How  often  did  he  pray? 

Who  were  watching? 

Where  were  the  eight  apostles? 

What  was  his  prayer' 

Who  was  Annas? 

What  sign  was  used  by  Judas  to  make  Jesus  known? 

Where  was  Jesus  taken  for  trial? 

How  many  times  did  Peter  deny  Jesus? 

Who  was  Pilate? 

Why  take  Jesus  before  Herod? 

Who  was  present  when  Jesus  was  crucified? 

Give  the  seven  utterances  of  Jesus  on  the  cross. 

What  was  done  on  each  day? 


CHAPTER  IX.— THE  PERIOD  OF  TRIUMPH. 


From  the  Resurrection  Sunday,  April,   A.  D.  30,   to  Ascension,  May, 
A.  D.  30 ;  40  Days. 

During  these  forty  days  Jesus  manifests  himself  as  a  risen  Savior 
and  meets  his  disciples  on  different  occasions  to  confirm  their  faith  in 
him  as  a  living  Savior. 

I.  THE  WOMEN    VISIT    THE   SEPULCHER    (Matt. 
28:  1-4;  Mark  16:  1-4;  Luke  24:  i,  2;  John  20:  i).— Before  they  laid  Jesus 
in  the  tomb  he  was  embalmed  very  hurriedly  and  the  women  resolved 
to  complete  it  on  the  day  following  the  Sabbath.    They  had  prepared 
spices  and  ointments  for  that  purpose.     With  these  ointments  early 
Sunday  morning,  the  first  day  of  the  week,  Mary  Magdalene,  Mary  the 
mother  of  James,  and  Salome,  set  out  to  go  to  the  sepulcher.    On  the  way 
they  wondered  who  would  roll  away  the  stone  from  the  door  of  the  sep- 
ulcher.   After  they  arrived  at  the  sepulcher  they  found  the  stone  was 
rolled  away.    There  had  been  a  great  earthquake,  and  the  angel  that 
had  rolled  away  the  stone  was  sitting  upon  it.     His  countenance  was 
like  lightning  and  his   raiment  was   as   white  as  snow.     The   Roman 
guards  had  fallen  prostrate  and  had  become  as  dead  men. 

II.  MARY    INFORMS    PETER    AND   JOHN    (John  20: 
2). — While  the  women  were  at  the  sepulcher  and  experienced  the  tremb- 
ling of  the  earth  and 
were  in  the  presence 
of  the  angel  that  had 
opened  the  sepulcher 
for  them,  and  as  they 
advanced  nearer  to 
the  door  they  discov- 
ered that  Jesus  was 
no  longer  there.   Ma- 
ry   Magdalene,  one 
of  their  number,  hur- 
ried back  to  Jerusa- 
lem, found  Peter  and 
John  and  announced 
to  them  that  the  tomb 

was  empty  and  she  did  not  know  whither  the  body  of  the  Lord  had  been 
conveyed. 

(90) 


HE  IS  NOT 


HERE 


RISEN 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  9! 

III.  TWO    ANGELS    APPEAR    TO    THE    WOMEN 

(Matt  28:  5-8;  Mark  16:  5-8;  Luke  24:  3-8). — The  women  who  had  re- 
mained at  the  sepulcher  approached  still  nearer,  and  even  entered.  At 
this  time  two  holy  messengers  stood  by  them  in  shining  garments,  who 
announced  to  them  that  their  Lord  was  risen  and  that  it  was  not  neces- 
sary to  look  for  the  living  Christ  amongst  the  dead.  They  told  them  that 
he  would  go  before  them  into  Galilee,  where  they  should  see  him. 
Without  a  moment's  hesitancy  these  women  hurried  to  the  apostles  and 
gave  an  account  of  the  messengers  and  their  experience  at  the  tomb. 

IV.  PETER    AND    JOHN    RUN    TO    THE    SEPUL- 
CHER (Luke  24:  12;  John  20:  3-10). — The  apostles,  though  in  deep  sor- 
row, when  they  heard  the  words  announced  of  the  cheering  tidings,  re- 
garded them  as  no  better  than  an  idle  tale.    However,  Peter  and  John 
had  already  started  towards  the  sepulcher  with  all  speed.    John  outrun- 
ning Peter  reached  the  tomb  first.  When  John  arrived  at  the  sepulcher  he 
stooped  down  and  looked  in  and  saw  the  linen  clothes  lying,  but  did  not 
enter.    When  Peter  arrived  he  went  into  the  sepulcher  and  he  saw  the 
linen  clothes  lying  and  the  napkin  that  had  been  about  Jesus'  head,  not 
lying  with  the  linen  clothes,  but  folded  together  and  put  in  a  place  by 
itself.    There  was  nothing  to  indicate  that  any  violence  had  been  done 
and  John,  being  encouraged  by  Peter,  also  entered  and  saw  and  be- 
lieved. 

V.  ANGELS    AND    JESUS    APPEAR    TO    MARY 
MAGDALENE  (Mark  16:9-11;  John  20:  11-18).— Mary  Magdalene 
returned  to  the  sepulcher  after  making  her  announcement  to  Peter  and 
John,  and  was  not  able  to  solve  the  mystery  of  her  Lord.    She  was  stand- 
ing outside  the  sepulcher  weeping,  and  as  she  wept  she  stooped  down 
and  looked  into  the  sepulcher,  and  she  saw  two  angels,  one  at  the  head 
and  the  other  at  the  feet  where  the  body  of  her  Lord  had  lain.    These 
angels  said  to  her:  "Woman,  why  weepest  thou? "    She  answered  them, 
"  Because  they  have  taken  away  my  Lord,  and  I  know  not  where  they 
have  laid  him."    At  this   very  time  she  turned  around  and  saw  Jesus 
standing  by  her,  and  she  knew  not  that  it  was  Jesus.   Jesus  asked  her  the 
same  question,  "Why  weepest  thou?"  and  she,  thinking  him  to  be  the 
gardener,  asked  him  to  tell  her  if  he  had  taken  away  the  Lord  and  if  so 
to  tell  her  where  he  had  placed  him.    Then  Jesus  said  unto  her,  "  Mary." 
and  she  turned  herself  and  he  gave  her  this  message  for  her  people:  "I 
ascend  unto  my  Father  and  your  Father,  and  to  my  God  and  your  God." 

VI.  THE  WOMEN    REPORT  TO   THE    DISCIPLES 

(Mark  16:  Jo,  11;  Luke  24:0-11;  John  20: 18).— Mary  Magdalene  with  the 
other  women  left  the  sepulcher  to  go  to  tell  the  disciples.  Mary  went 


92  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

and  became  the  first  witness  and  message  bearer  of  his  resurrection  to 
his  disciples. 

VII.  JESUS  APPEARS    TO   THE    WOMEN  (Matt.  28: 
Q,  10). — After  the  women  had  left  the  sepulcher  to  go  to  the  city  they 
were  met  by  their  risen  Lord  who   saluted   them  with   the  words,  "All 
hail."    They  drew  near  and  worshiped  Jesus;  and  as  he  had  bidden 
Mary  Magdalene  he  told  the  women  to  announce  to  his  brethren  the 
joyous  news  that  he  was  going  before  them  into  Galilee. 

VIII.  THE  GUARDS    REPORT  TO   THE    PRIESTS 

(Matt.  28:  11-15). — After  the  women  were  gone  certain  of  the  Roman 
guards  came  into  the  city  and  reported  to  the  chief  priests  what  had  oc- 
curred at  the  sepulcher.  A  meeting  of  the  Sanhedrim  was  immediately 
called,  and  by  giving  heavy  bribes  to  the  soldiers  they  persuaded  them 
to  give  out  the  report  that  his  disciples  had  stolen  him  while  they  slept. 
And  this  story  became  very  common  among  the  Jews.  The  soldiers, 
when  sleeping  while  on  duty,  would  violate  the  Roman  law. 

IX.  THE  WALK  TO  EMMAUS  (Mark  16:  12,  13;  Luke  24: 
13-35). — During  the  same  day,  perhaps  early  in  the  afternoon,  Cleopas 
and  another  disciple,  whose  name  is  not  recorded,  left  Jerusalem  for  the 
village  of  Emmaus.    And  as  they  were  journeying  their  conversation 
was  about  the  events  that  had  so  lately  been  reported  concerning  Jesus. 
On  the  way  a  stranger  met  them  and  asked  them  why  they  looked  so 
sorrowful;  he  also  asked  about  their  earnest  conversation.    They  were 
surprised  that  any  one  could  be  at  Jerusalem   and   not  know  of  the 
strange  reports  that  were  being  circulated.    He  asked  them  what  things, 
and  they  gave  him  a  full  account  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  how  he  had  been 
put  to  death  and  that  now  was  the  third  day,  and  what  the  women  had 
reported  who  had  visited  the  sepulcher  early  in  the  day,  and  that  some 
from  Jerusalem  had  gone  and  found  that  what  the  women  had  said  was 
true.     To  their  surprise  the  stranger  rebuked  them  and  said,  "Oh  fool- 
ish and  slow  of  heart  to  believe  all   that  the   prophets  had  spoken! 
Ought  not  the  Messiah  to  have  suffered  these  things?"     He  preached 
them  a  sermon  in  which  he  set  forth  what  Moses  and  the  prophets  said 
concerning  him  in  the  Old  Testament.    At  this  time,  as  they  arrived  at 
Emmaus,  they  invited  the  stranger  to  abide  with  them,  and   the   Savior 
entered  their  abode.    After  preparing  an  evening  meal  Jesus  took  bread, 
broke  it  and  gave  it  to  them,  and  to  their  surprise  when  their  eyes  were 
opened  they  were  in  the  presence  of  Jesus.    And  when  they  knew  him 
he  vanished  out  of  their  sight. 

X.  HE  APPEARS  TO  THE  TEN   (Mark  16:14;  Luke  24: 
36-43;  John  20: 19-25).— After  the  two  had  recognized  Jesus  at  Emmaus 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  93 

they  instantly  hurried  back  to  Jerusalem  and  ascended  into  the  upper 
room  where  they  found  the  apostles  and  others  assembled,  and  they  re- 
ported to  them  their  experience  on  the  way  to  Emmaus.  They  were 
behind  closed  doors  for  fear  of  the  Jews,  and  although  the  door  was 
closed  the  Lord  appeared  in  their  midst  and  saluted  them  saying, 
"  Peace  be  .unto  you."  They  were  terrified  and  thought  him  a  spirit, 
and  he  showed  them  his  hands  and  his  feet.  He  asked  them  whether 
they  had  any  meat,  and  after  they  had  given  him  something  to  eat  he 
took  it  and  did  eat  before  them.  Thomas,  one  of  the  twelve,  called 
Didymus,  was  not  with  them,  and  when  he  heard  the  report  of  the  ten 
said,  "  I  will  not  believe  except  I  shall  see  in  his  hands  the  print  of  the 
nails,  and  put  my  finger  into  the  print  of  the  nails,  and  thrust  my  hand 
into  his  side." 

XI.  HE  APPEARS  TO  THE  ELEVEN   (John  20:  26-29). 
— Just  one  week  after  the  former  occurrences  the  apostles  were  again  in 
the  upper  room.  Thomas  being  with  them.    The  doors  being  shut  Jesus 
entered  and  stood  in  their  midst.    Jesus  again  said,  "Peace  be  unto 
you."    Jesus,  knowing  all  the  doubts  of  Thomas,  asked  him  to  reach 
forth  his  finger  and  touch  his  hands  and  reach  forth  his  hand  and  touch 
his  side.    We  do  not  know  whether  he  touched  the  wounds  of  the  Sav- 
ior, but  in  the  fullness  of  believing  faith  he  exclaimed,  "My  Lord  and 
my  God." 

XII.  HE  APPEARS  TO  THE  SEVEN  (John  21:  1-23).— 
At  some  time  after  the  second  Sabbath  the  apostles  returned  to  the  Sea 
of  Galilee,  where  they  resumed  their  former  occupation  as  fishermen. 
Peter,  Thomas,  Nathanael,  James,  John  and  two  others  whose  names 
are  not  recorded,  entered  a  boat  and  toiled  all  night,  and  caught  noth- 
ing.    In  the  early  morning  a  voice  was  heard  saying,  "  Children,  have 
ye  any  meat?  "    And  they  answered  "  No."    And  he  told  them  to  "cast 
the  net  on  the  right  side  of  the   ship "  and  they  would  find.     They 
obeyed  the  voice,  and  they  were  unable  to  drag  the  net  for  the  multi- 
tude of  fishes.    The  Apostle  John  now  recognized  the  voice  to  be  that 
of  Jesus  and  told  Peter  it  was  the  Lord.     Peter  immediately  put  on  his 
fisher's  coat  and  plunged  into  the  water  to  get  to 

his  Master.  The  others  brought  the  ship,  drag- 
ging the  net  with  fishes.  When  they  came  to  the 
land  they  saw  a  fire  of  coals  there  and  fish  laid 
thereon,  and  bread.  Jesus  told  the  disciples  to 
bring  some  of  their  fish  and  after  the  meal  was 
prepared  he  asked  them  to  dine  with  him.  Je- 
sus gave  them  bread  and  fish  for  their  breakfast. 
As  Jesus  prepared  this  meal  for  the  apostles  by 


94 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


the  Sea  of  Galilee  to  satisfy  their  fleshly  appetites,  he  has  constantly 
spread  a  table  on  the  shore  of  eternity  to  which  he  invites  us  daily  to 
satisfy  our  spiritual  life.  After  this  meal  was  over  Jesus  asked  Peter 
once  to  "  feed  his  lambs  "  and  twice  to  "  feed  his  sheep." 

XIII.  HE  APPEARS   TO    THE    MULTITUDE  (Matt. 
28:  16-20;  Mark  16:  15-18).— 

A  short  time  after  his  ap- 
pearance to  the  seven  at  the 
lake  the  eleven  were  togeth- 
er at  a  mountain  in  Galilee, 
a  place  indicated  by  the 
Savior  himself,  and  there  he 
appeared  not  only  to  the 
eleven,  but  in  all  probability 
to  the  five  hundred  brethren 
referred  to  by  St.  Paul  (l 
Cor.  15:6).  And  when  they 
worshiped  him  he  gave  them 
the  great  commission,  "Go  ye  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations." 

XIV.  HE  APPEARS  AND  ASCENDS  (Mark  16:19,  20; 
Luke  24:44-53). — Jesus  assured  his  disciples  that  the  words  that  he 
spoke  to  them  while  with  them  and  all  the  sayings  in  the  law,  prophets 
and  Psalms  concerning  him  must  be  fulfilled.     He  opened  their  under- 
standing so  that  they  might  grasp  the  Scriptures  and  again  repeated  the 
great  commission  that   repentance  and   remission  of  sins  should  be 
preached  among  all  nations,  beginning  at  Jerusalem,  and  assured  the 
apostles  that  they  were  his  witnesses.     He  now  instructed  the  apostles 
to  return  to  the  city  of  Jerusalem  and  to  remain  there  until  they  were 
endued  with  power  from  on  high.     When  they  arrived  at  Bethany  he 
lifted  up  his  hands  and  blessed  them,  and  as  he  blessed  them  he  was 
taken  away  from  them  and  carried  up  into  heaven.    The  eleven  stood 
watching  him  as  he  receded  more  and  more  from  their  view.     At  length 
two  heavenly  messengers  clad  in  white  apparel  appeared  and  spoke  to 
them  saying,  "  Ye  men  of  Galilee,  why  stand  ye  gazing  up   into  heaven? 
This  same  Jesus  who  hath  been  taken  from  you  up  into  heaven,  shall  so 
come  in  like  manner  as  ye  have  seen  him  go  into  heaven."    The  apostles 
now  returned  to  Jerusalem  and  followed  the  command  of  their  Lord. 

XV.  CONCLUSION  OF  JOHN'S  GOSPEL  (John  20:24, 
25). — Jesus    did    many  miracles    and    works    that    are    not    found  in 
the  record  that  we  have  studied.     Those  that  we  have  studied  are  to 
bring  us  into  closer  relation  with  him,  that  they  may  give  us  life  through 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  95 

Jesus'  name.     If  all   the  sayings  of  Jesus  were  written,  it  would  take 
m?ny  volumes  to  give  a  record  of  them  all. 

QUESTIONS. 

Name  the  opening  and  closing  events  of  this  period. 

What  is  the  time  of  this  period? 

Why  did  the  women  visit  the  sepulcher? 

When  did  they  go  to  the  sepulcher? 

What  did  they  see  when  they  arrived  at  the  sepulcher? 

Who  informed  Peter  and  John? 

What  did  the  women  see  when  Mary  Magdalene  was  absent? 

Name  the  two  apostles  that  visited  the  tomb. 

Who  went  into  the  tomb  first,  and  what  did  he  say? 

To  whom  did  Jesus  appear  first,  and  what  was  his  message? 

Where  did  he-appear  unto  the  women,  and  what  did  he  say? 

What  report  did  the  guards  make? 

What  influenced  them  to  tell  a  falsehood? 

Name  the  disciples  that  met  Jesus  on  the  way  to  Emmaus. 

Why  did  they  not  know  Jesus? 

Who  was  absent  when  he  manifested  himself  to  the  ten  the  first  Sunday? 

What  testimony  have  we  of  Christ's  resurrection  on  the  second  Sunday? 

Where  did  Jesus  appear  to  the  seven? 

Did  they  know  Jesus,  and  what  did  he  do? 

What  special  mission  had  he  for  Peter? 

Where  and  to  whom  was  the  great  commission  given? 

What  was  the  great  commission? 

What  was  to  be  fulfilled? 

Who  were  present  at  the  ascension,  and  what  did  he  tell  them? 

Tell  what  occurred  at  the  time  of  the  ascension. 


PART  FOUR. --The  New  Testament 
Church. 


CHAPTER  I. — THE  CHURCH  OF  JERUSALEM.- 
Acts  i:  1-7:  53. 


From  the  Ascension  of  Christ,  A,  D.  jo,  to  the  Death  of  Stephen, 
A.  D.  jj/  j    Years. 

The  first  seven  chapters  of  Acts  describe  the  church  in  Jerusalem, 
which  was  confined  to  Jewish  members.  In  the  book  of  Acts,  as  well  as 
the  epistles,  we  find  the  history  of  the  continuation  of  what  Jesus  did 
and  taught  through  the  Holy  Spirit.  Even  the  history  of  the  church 
until  the  present  day  is  what  Jesus  is  doing  and  teaching.  These  are 
truly  wonderful  records,  describing  the  controversy,  spiritual  conquests 
and  the  triumphal  progress  of  the  Christian  church  during  the  first  thir- 
ty years  after  the  ascension  of  Christ.  The  central  truth  in  the  Acts  of 
the  apostles  is  the  union  of  the  church  of  Christ,  the  Jews  and  Gentiles 
receiving  the  anointing  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  going  forth  to  teach  the 
Word  to  others. 

I.  INTRODUCTION  (Acts  i:  i-n).— Luke,  the  author  of  this 
book,  the  companion  of  the 
Apostle  Paul,  addressed  it  to 
the  same  Gentile  Theophilus 
to  whom  he  dedicated  his 
Gospel.  He  again  speaks  of 
the  coming  of  the  Holy  Spir- 
it, and  here  informs  us  that 
when  Jesus  ascended  into 
heaven  the  apostles  stood  gaz- 
ing instead  of  returning  to  Je- 
rusalem immediately,  as  he 
had  commanded  them.  The 
words  of  the  two  white-robed 
messengers  brought  the  disci- 
ples to  themselves.  They 
were  told  not  to  stand  gazing, 
but  to  return  to  Jerusalem  and 

enter  the  upper  room  and  there  wait  for  the  fulfillment  of  the  promised 
hour  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

(96) 


WILL  COME 
AGAIN." 


WAIT, 

WATCH, WORK 
BE  READY 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  97 

II.  THE  TEN-DAY  MEETING  (Acts  i:  12-26). 

1.  The  Waiting  Disciples.— Having  just  looked  upon  the   Lord 
as    he  ascended  into    heaven,    they    now    in  obedience  to  his    Word 
were  waiting  to  be  endued  with  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit.     In  order 
to  receive  this  gift  they  must  wait  in  the  upper  room  during  the  ten  days, 
in  harmony  with  the  teaching  of  the  Holy  Word  in  their  possession  at 
that  time.    Among  this  band  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  in  the  upper 
room,  waiting  with  one  accord  in  meditation  and  fervent  prayer,  were 
the  eleven  apostles  who  had  constantly  attended  Jesus  for  more  than  a 
year,  the  consecrated  women  and  relatives  of  Jesus,  Mary,  his  devoted 
mother,  and  his  brethren. 

2.  The    Apostle   Chosen.— Peter,   who  acted  as    spokesman    of 
the  eleven,  stood  up  in  their  midst  and  suggested  that  the  place  of 
Judas  the  traitor  should  be  filled,  so  that  the  original  number,  twelve, 
could  be  continued.    The  one  they  should  select  must  have  been  a  wit- 
ness of  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  and  one  who  had  associated  with  him 
since  the  first  appearance  of  John  the  Baptist  to  the  ascension  of  Jesus. 
The  appointed  apostle  would  then  be  qualified  to  bear  witness  of  the  life 
and  resurrection  of  Jesus.     Two   persons  were  found  who  had  these 
qualifications,  Barsabas  and  Matthias.    After  praying  earnestly  that  the 
Lord  would  direct  the  choice  in  harmony  with  his  will  they  cast  lots  and 
Matthias  was  chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

III.  THE    DAY    OF    PENTECOST    (Acts  2:  1-36). 

1.  The  Holy  Spirit.— The    day    of  Pentecost  is    at    hand.      The 
disciples  were  still  of  one  accord,  united   in   spirit  and  purpose  and 
prayer.     The   Holy  City  was  crowded  with  strangers,  not  only  from 
Palestine,  but  from  Parthia  and  Media,  from  Edom  and  Mesopotamia, 
from  the  various  districts  of  Asia  Minor,  from  Alexandria  and  Cyrene, 
and  from  Rome,  the  capital  of  the  west.    The  disciples  were  awaiting 
the  fulfillment  of  the  divine  promise  when  there  appeared  three  external 
manifestations  of  the   Spirit's  power.    They  were  so  clear  that  none 
could  miss  them.    They  are  supernatural,    (i)  There  was  the  sound  of 
the  mighty  wind,  though  there  was  no  wind.    (2)   There  were   parted 
tongues  of  fire,  each  of  the  one  hundred  and  twenty  being  crowned  with 
one.     (3)  The  speaking  in  foreign  tongues,  which  so   astonished   and 
confounded  the  crowd  of  devout  Jews  assembled  at  Jerusalem  from 
every  province  under  the  Roman  empire. 

2.  Peter's   First   Sermon. — When  these    humble    followers  be- 
gan to  speak  in  heavenly  tongues  the  multitude  could  not  understand 
the  strange  phenomenon,  and  many  of  them  accused  the  disciples  of  be- 
ing drunk.    Peter  now  begins  his  first  sermon  after  being  filled  with  the 
Spirit  and  tells  them,  first,  that  it  is  too  early  in  the  day  to  be  drunk, 


98  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

and,  second,  that  it  is  only  the  fulfillment  of  what  the  prophet  Joel  had 
said  (Joel  2:  28,  29).  These  wonderful  gifts  had  been  bestowed  upon 
them  by  that  same  Jesus  whom  they  had  taken  and  crucified.  This  ser- 
mon, full  of  the  Spirit,  went  to  the  heart  of  his  audience  and  three  thou- 
sand began  saying,  "Men  and  brethren,  what  shall  we  do?"  Peter  said, 
"Repent  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ 
for  the  remission  of  your  sins."  About  three  thousand  gladly  received 
his  word  and  were  added  to  the  church. 

IV.  THE  FIRST  PERSECUTION  (Acts  2:42-4:31). 

1.  The  Primitive  Church. — The  disciples  continued  steadfastly 
in    the    apostles'    doctrine    and    in   fellowship    and   communion  with 
one    another.    These   new  disciples  had  accepted   the    new  spiritual 
guide.     They  accepted  the  new  ordinances,  and  they  had  all  things  as  a 
new  society  in  common.     This  is  a  striking  testimonial  of  the  spirit  and 
the  bond  of  peace.    They  were  at  the  Temple  at  public  prayer,  praising 
God  and  receiving  favor  from  the  people. 

2.  Healing  the  Lame  Man.— Peter  and  John,  two  of  the  disciples, 
were  going  to  the  Temple  at  the  ninth  hour,  being  three  o'clock,  and 
as  they  were  going  they  met  a  cripple  at  the  Beautiful  Gate  who  was 
soliciting    alms.     He    saw    the    apostles    and    asked    their    aid,    and 
they  said  to  him:  "  Look  on  us."     He,  expecting  perhaps  some   chari- 
table offering,  did  so,  when  Peter  suddenly  said  to  him:  "  In  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  of   Nazareth,  rise  up  and  walk."     Peter  took  him  by  the 
hand  and  lifted  him  up.    And  he  went  forth  walking  and  leaping  and 
praising  God.    Such  a  wonderful  cure  was  quickly  noised  abroad  and 
the  people  came  running  together  with  one  accord  into  Solomon's  porch 
and  saw  the  man  that  was  healed. 

3.  Peter's    Second    Sermon.  —  Peter  now  took  this  occasion  to 
preach  to  the  crowd  that  had  gathered.     He  declared  to  the  people  that 
the  healing  of  the  man  was  due  to  no  power  of  his  or  his  brother  apostle, 
but  to  God  who  had  raised  Jesus  from  the  dead.     Peter,  being  filled  with 
the  Spirit,  again  touched  the  hearts  of  many  of  his  hearers,  and  upwards 
of  five  thousand  believed  in  Christ  and  accepted  him  as  their  Savior. 
The  sermon  stirred  up  the  prejudice  of  the  members  of  the  Sanhedrim, 
so  that  now  they  arranged  to  take  measures  to  stop  this  teaching. 

4.  Peter  and  John  are  Arrested  and  Imprisoned. — In  the  morn- 
ing they  called  the  apostles  into  their  midst  and  asked  upon  what  author- 
ity they  had  acted  as  they  did.    Peter  again  told  them  that  the  miracle  on 
the  previous  day  was  due  entirely  to  the  mighty  working  of  Jesus  whom 
they  had  put  to  death  and  God  had  raised  from  the  dead,  and  there  was 
no  other  name  by  which  people  could  be  saved.    Seeing  the  man  that 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


99 


was  healed  and  hearing  the  words  spoken  by  the  apostles,  they  were  un- 
able to  deny  the  miracle,  but  forbade  the  apostles  preaching  any  more 
in  the  name  of  Jesus.  Some  of  these  persons  who  were  present  at  the 
Jewish  council  were  prominent  in  the  trial  of  Jesus  when  he  was  con- 
demned. When  they  told  the  apostles  that  they  could  not  speak  any 
more  in  Jesus'  name  Peter  answered  them:  "  Whether  it  be  right  in  the 
sight  of  God  to  hearken  unto  you  more  than  unto  God,  judge  ye." 

5.  The  Prayer  Meeting. — The  apostles  reported  to  the  disciples 
what  the  chief  priests  and  elders  had  done  and  said  to  them;  and  after 
receiving  the  news  they  lifted  up  their  voice  to  God  and  prayed 
that,  while  he  was  sending  forth  the  power  to  heal  and  giving  signs 
and  wonders  by  their  own  hand,  he  might  give  them  boldness  to 
preach  his  Word  with  still  greater  power.  The  answer  came  to  this 
prayer  meeting  and  the  place  was  shaken  where  they  were  assembled, 
and  they  were  again  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  so  that  they  might  have 
still  more  strength  to  carry  forward  the  Lord's  work. 


(Acts   4:31-5:42). 


V.  THE  SECOND  PERSECUTION 

1.  Example  in  Giving. — The  disciples,  full 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  were  of  one  heart  and  one  soul. 
No  one  was  in  need,  for  those  that  had  much  gave 
unto  those  that  did  not  have  any,  and  they  had  all 
things  common.     The  disciples  sold  their  posses- 
sions, brought  the  money  and  put  it  into  the  com- 
mon treasury.    Even   Barnabas  of  Cyprus,  a  Le- 
vite,   is  especially  commended  for  his   spirit  of 
charity. 

2.  Warning    and     Punishment    to    Those    Who    Deceive. — 

Ananias  and  Sapphira,  whose  hearts  were  upon  their  possessions,  de- 
sired the  same  reward  for  bringing  only  part  of  their  possession,  pre- 
tending, however,  that  they  had  brought  it  all.  When  Ananias,  who 
came  first,  appeared  and  tried  to  deceive  the  church  Peter  said:  "  Why 
hath  Satan  filled  thine  heart  to  lie  against  the  Holy  Ghost?"  The 
property  was  his  to  dispose  of,  but  in  disposing  of  it  he  should  have 
been  honest  with  the  church.  His  punishment  was  death.  His  wife, 
Sapphira,  having  agreed  with  him  in  the  plot,  also  attempted  to  deceive 
the  church  by  telling  a  falsehood,  and  she  also  was  punished  by  death. 
The  effect  of  this  terrible,  sudden,  just  judgment  was  very  great.  Fear 
came  upon  all  who  saw  and  heard  what  had  occurred  in  the  church 
during  the  past  three  hours.  The  common  people  were  impressed  with 
the  wondrous  power  of  the  apostles,  and  many  brought  their  sick,  put- 
ting them  upon  beds  and  couches  in  the  streets,  believing  that  if  only 


100  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

the  shadow  of  Peter  as  he  was  passing  by  would  fall  upon  them  they 
would  be  blessed.     This  brought  many  people  together  at  Jerusalem. 

3.  Miraculous  Deliverance. — After  this  the  Sanhedrim  again  made 
an  effort  to  check  the  influence  of  this  teaching.     They  seized  the  apos- 
tles, put  them  in  prison  and  on  the  morrow  when  the  Sanhedrim  had 
met  they   sent  their  officers  to  bring  the  apostles  into  their  presence. 
The  officers  found  the  prison  doors  closed,  but  the  prisoners  were  not 
there.    They  returned  and  reported  this  to  the  council,  and  while  they 
were  wondering  what  this  meant  a  messenger  arrived  and  told   them 
that  the  apostles  were  at  the  Temple  teaching,  and  had  been  there  early 
in  the   morning.      They  had  been  released  from  the  prison  sometime 
during  the  night  by  an  angel.    An  officer  was  immediately  sent  to  bring 
them   into  their  presence.     When  the  high  priest  asked  the  apostles 
why  they  disobeyed  their  late  commands  Peter,  their  spokesman,  again 
declared  "  that  they  must  cbey  God  rather  than  man."    God  had  raised 
up  Jesus  and  exalted  him,  and  they  were  his  witnesses,   and   their  tes- 
timony they  must  deliver.    This  aroused   their  indignation  and  some 
wanted  the  apostles  to  be  put  to  death. 

4.  Advice  of  Gamaliel. — He  was  a  member  of  the   Sanhedrim,  a 
teacher  of  the  law  and  held  in  great  reverence  by  the  people.      After 
the  apostles  were  dismissed  he  asked  the  council  for  milder  measures. 
He  then  cited  two  illustrations  showing  that  if  the  apostles'  work  was  of 
God  it  could  not  be  overthrown,  and  care  should  be  exercised  so  that 
they  might  not  be  found  fighting  against  God.    The  apostles  were  again 
called  before  the  council,  arid  after  being  beaten  and  commanded  not  to 
speak  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  they  returned  and   rejoiced  that  they  were 
counted   worthy  to   suffer   shame  for  the   name  of  Jesus.    And   they 
ceased  not  to  go  from  house  to  house  and  were  daily  in  the  Temple 
teaching  and  preaching  Jesus. 

VI.  THE  THIRD  PERSECUTION  (Acts  6:1-7:53). 

i.  The  Seven  Chosen.  —  Through  their,  consecrated  efforts  the 
church  increased  and  the  work  became  more  burdensome.  A  com- 
plaint was  made  by  the  Grecians  because  their  widows  were  neglected 
in  the  daily  ministrations.  The  apostles  therefore  met  and  advised  the 
general  body  of  the  disciples  that  it  was  not  proper  for  them  to  leave 
the  ministry  of  the  Word  and  serve  tables.  They  should  select  seven 
men  of  good  report,  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  wisdom,  who  might  de- 
vote themselves  to  this  distribution.  The  church  approved  of  the  ad- 
vice and  selected  Stephen,  Philip,  Prochorus,  Nicanor,  Timon,  Parme- 
nas,  and  Nicolas.  These  were  presented  to  the  apostles  and  when  they 
had  prayed  they  laid  their  hands  upon  them,  and  solemnly  ordained 
them  to  their  office. 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


101 


2.  First  Christian  Hartyr. — Stephen,  a  man  full  of  faith,  not  only 
wrought  great  wonders  and  miracles,  but  proved  himself  able  to  argue 
with  irresistible  force  with  the  Jews  of  Cyrene,  Alexandria  and  some  of 
the  provinces  of  Asia  Minor.  And  when  they  were  not  able  to  meet  the 
arguments  that  he  used  in  giving  testimony  of  the  fulfillment  of  the  law 
in  the  person  of  Jesus  Christ  they  hired  base  fellows  to  formulate  accu- 
sations against  him.  They  said  that  they  heard  him  speak  blasphemous 
words  against  Moses  and  even  against  God.  He  was  at  once  arrested 
and  brought  before  the  Sanhedrim  and  questioned  by  the  high  priest; 
he  defended  himself  in  a  sermon  of  great  power.  He  reviewed  all  the 
great  events  in  the  national  history  of  the  Jews  from  Abraham  to  Joseph, 
from  Joseph  to  Moses,  and  from  Mo- 
ses to  Solomon.  He  showed  that 
the  blessings  were  not  confined  to 
the  Jewish  nation.  He  sternly  re- 
buked the  high  officials  for  resisting 
the  Holy  Ghost,  persecuting  the 
prophets  and  murdering  the  Savior. 
At  this  their  anger  knew  no  bounds, 
they  could  not  restrain  their  fury, 
and  they  led  him  forth  outside  of 
the  city  gate  to  stone  him.  The  wit- 
nesses threw  off  their  loose  outer 
garments  and  laid  them  at  the  feet 
of  Paul,  and  as  they  were  stoning 

Stephen  he  cried,  "  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit."  He  fell  on  hi?  knees 
to  the  ground  and  with  a  loud  voice  cried,  "Lord,  lay  not  this  sin  to  their 
charge,"  and  fell  asleep. 

QUESTIONS. 

Give  the  time  and  event  that  opens  and  closes  this  period. 

How  many  chapters  in  Acts  are  covered  by  this  chapter? 

What  is  the  central  truth  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles? 

Name  the  six  principal  divisions  of  this  chapter. 

Who  was  the  author  of  this  book? 

Why  rebuke  the  disciples  for  gazing? 

Who  lord  them  that  Jesus  would  return  again? 

How  long  had  they  to  wait  at  Jerusalem? 

What  did  they  do  during  the  ten  days? 

Who  was  preparing  for  this  new  power  from  on  high? 

Were  the  women  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit? 

What  new  apostle  was  elected,  and  what  were  his  qualifications? 

What  people  were  at  Jerusalem  on  the  day  of  Pentecost? 


102  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

What  three  external  manifestations? 

How  many  could  speak  with  new  tongues? 

Why  were  the  people  astonished? 

How  did  Peter  meet  the  accusation  of  the  people? 

Who  had  prophesied  that  there  should  be  such  manifestation  of  power? 

What  in  the  sermon  condemned  the  rulers  of  the  people? 

What  effect  had  his  sermon  on  the  people? 

How  many  were  converted  and  baptized? 

What  was  the  condition  of  the  church  following  the  day  of  Pentecost? 

Who  met  and  healed  the  cripple  on  the  way  to  the  Temple? 

How  was  he  healed? 

How  did  he  act  after  he  was  healed? 

What  did  the  people  do  when  they  learned  of  this  wonderful  cure? 

What  was  the  effect  of  Peter's  second  sermon? 

How  many  are  now  added  to  the  church? 

What  effect  had  his  sermon  on  the  Jewish  rulers? 

How  long  were  Peter  and  John  imprisoned  at  this  time? 

What  did  Peter  tell  the  members  of  the  Sanhedrim  in  the  morning? 

Were  they  convinced  that  the  man  was  healed? 

What  command  was  given  the  apostles  by  the  council? 

What  was  Peter's  answer? 

What  did  the  disciples  do  when  Peter  and  John  reported  their  experi- 
ence? 

What  manifestation  of  God's  power  at  the  prayer  meeting? 

Who  was  now  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit? 

What  is  the  internal  condition  of  the  church  now? 

Since  the  giving  of  the  Holy  Spirit  who  are  the  first  dishonest  church 
members? 

Are  there  any  Ananiases  and  Sapphiras  in  the  church  to-day? 

What  effect  had  this  just  judgment  upon  the  people? 
How  many  apostles  are  now  imprisoned? 

What  occurred  during  the  night? 

What  was  the  disappointment  of  the  officers  in  the  morning? 

Who  speaks  to  the  council? 

Who  pleads  for  the  liberty  of  the  apostles? 

What  was  done  to  the  apostles  before  they  were  sent  away? 

Why  did  they  ask  for  new  church  officers? 

What  are  their  names? 

How  were  they  appointed? 

What  are  their  qualifications? 

How  did  Stephen  arouse  the  anger  of  the  Jews? 

What  did  Paul  do  when  Stephen  was  stoned? 

Quote  the  last  words  of  Stephen. 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 


103 


REVIEW. 

I.  Introduction. — Author — Theophilus.    Angels. 
II.  The  Ten-Day  fleeting. 

I.  The  Waiting  Disciples.     2.  The  Apostle  Chosen. 
HI.  The  Day  of  Pentecost. 

i.  The  Holy  Spirit.    2.  Peter's  First  Sermon. 
IV.  The  First  Persecution. 

I.  The   Primitive  Church.    2.  Healing  the  Lame  Man.    3.  Peter's 
Second  Sermon.      4.  Peter  and  John  are  Arrested  and  Impris- 
oned.    5.  The  Prayer  Meeting. 
V.  The  Second  Persecution. 

I.  Example  of  Giving.    2.  Warning  and  Punishment  to  those  who 

Deceive.     3.  Miraculous  Deliverance.    4.  Advice  of  Gamaliel. 
VI.  The  Third  Persecution. 

I.  The  Seven  Chosen.    2,  First  Christian  Martyr. 


>  v* 


-r\ 

m 


CHAPTER  II.— THE  CHURCH  OF  PALESTINE.— 
ACTS  8:  1-12:  25. 


From   the  Death  of  Stephen,  A.  D.  j>j,  to  PauPs  First  Missionary 
Journey,  A.  D.  yj;  10  Years. 

I.  THE  WORK  OF  PHILIP  (Acts  8:  5-40).— Philip  was  one 
of  the  seven  chosen  who  had  the  qualifications  not  only  to  serve  tables, 
but,  being  full  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  was  an  able  expounder  of  the  words  of 
Jesus. 

1.  Conversion  of  Samaritans. — The  stoning  of  Stephen  was  the 
beginning  of  a  furious  persecution  of  the  Christians  in  which  Pharisees 
and  Sadducees  alike  joined.     From  this  persecution  the  disciples  fled  in 
different  directions  through  Judea  and  Samaria.    And  they  went  as  far 
as  Cyprus,  Phoenicia  and  Antioch.    The  apostles,  however,  remained  at 
Jerusalem.     Philip  went  down  to  Samaria  and  entered  one  of  the  towns 
preaching  and  performing  many  miracles,  and  many  Samaritans  gave 

heed  to  his  word.  He  met  a 
man  named  Simon,  a  magi- 
cian who  had  great  influence 
over  the  Samaritans,  but  in 
Philip  he  found  one  he  could 
not  resist.  When  he  saw  the 
people  were  leaving  him, 
he  too  accepted  Philip's 
teaching  and  was  baptized. 
News  of  these  new  converts 
was  brought  to  Jerusalem, 
and  the  apostles  immediate- 
ly sent  Peter  and  John  to 
look  into  the  work.  Peter 
and  John  prayed  that  they 
might  receive  also  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  when 

they  had  laid  their  hands  on  the  converts  they  received  the  Holy  Spirit. 
Simon  tried  to  bribe  the  apostles  for  the  purpose  of  coming  in  possession 
of  the  same  power.  Peter,  however,  sternly  denounced  his  wickedness 
and  told  him  to  pray  that  the  thoughts  of  his  heart  might  be  forgiven. 

2.  Baptism  of  the  Ethiopian.— After  this  the  apostles  went  into 
other  villages  in  Samaria,  and  then  returned  to  Jerusalem.    Philip  was 

(104) 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  lOj 

commanded  to  go  towards  the  south  along  the  road  leading  from  Jerusa- 
lem to  Gaza.  He  followed  the  directions  that  were  given  him,  and  he 
met  a  man  riding  in  a  chariot  who  was  reading  aloud  as  he  rode.  This 
was  a  man  of  Ethiopia,  a  chief  officer  of  the  queen  of  Meroe  and  steward 
of  all  her  treasures.  He  was  returning  from  one  of  the  feasts  at  Jerusa- 
lem. Philip  joined  the  man  in  the  chariot  and  interpreted  for  him 
Isaiah  53:  6,  7  which  the  Ethiopian  could  not  understand  as  he  read  it. 
And  as  Philip  preached  unto  him  Jesus,  the  Ethiopian  was  ready  to  em- 
brace the  faith,  and  as  they  came  to  a  stream  of  water  he  demanded 
baptism.  The  chariot  was  stopped  and  the  two  went  down  into  the 
water,  and  Philip  baptized  him.  The  new  convert  went  on  his  way  re- 
joicing. 

3.  Missionary  Labors  about  Csesarea — After  Philip  had  bap- 
tized the  Eunuch,  the  Spirit  suddenly  caught  him  away  and  he  went  on 
to  Azotus,  opening  new  mission  points  along  the  coast  of  the  Mediterra- 
nean to  Caesarea.  Many  years  after  this  we  learn  that  Philip  with  his 
family  had  done  great  work  along  the  coast.  The  Apostle  Paul  meets 
him  and  his  daughters  in  their  work  for  the  Lord. 

II.  THE  WORK  OF  SAUL  (Acts  9:  1-31). 

I.  His  Conversion. — When  the  persecution  was  so  severe  at  Jeru- 
salem none  was  more  filled  with  zeal  than  the  young  Pharisee.  He  re- 
solved to  make  havoc  of  the  church.  He  received  letters  from  the 
council  that  he  might  not  only  bring  those  who  lived  right  by  the  city  to 
be  persecuted,  but  even  go  into  Damascus  and  bring  the  followers  of 
Jesus  to  Jerusalem.  After  he  and  his  companions  had  been  on  their 
journey  to  Damascus  a  number  of  days,  and  as  they  were  about  to  reach 
the  city,  a  light  brighter  than  the  shining  of  the  sun  flashed  upon  the 
company.  They  were  struck  dumb  with  fear;  they  fell  to  the  ground 
and  heard  a  voice  which  none  understood  so  well  as  Saul.  The  voice 
spoke  in  the  Hebrew  tongue  saying:  "Saul,  Saul,  why  persecutes!  thou 
me?  "  And  immediately  Saul  cried  out:  "  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me 
to  do?  "  He  was  directed  to  rise  and  go  to  the  city  where  it  would  be 
told  him.  His  companions  took  him  by  the  hand  and  led  him  into  the 
city.  They  took  him  into  the  street  which  is  called  Straight  to  the  home 
of  one  by  the  name  of  Judas,  where  he  remained  during  three  days  with- 
out eating,  being  constantly  engaged  in  prayer.  The  Lord  had  told 
Ananias  in  a  vision  to  go  to  the  home  of  Judas  and  inquire  for  Saul  and 
he  would  find  him  praying.  Ananias  found  him  praying,  and  when  he 
put  his  hands  upon  him  and  said,  "  Brother  Saul,  the  Lord  even  Jesus 
that  appeared  unto  thee  in  the  way  sent  me  unto  thee  that  thou  mightst 
receive  thy  sight,"  his  eyes  were  opened  and  he  arose  and  was  baptized. 


IC)6  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

2.  His  Early  Preaching. — After  he  had  taken  meat  and  gained 
strength  the  Jews  of  Damascus  were  astonished  to  see  the  late  persecu- 
tor enter  the  synagogue  and  hear  him  prove  by  argument  that  was  con- 
vincing to  all  that  Jesus  was  the  Messiah.     It  became   clear  within   a 
short  time  that  it  was  not  safe  for  him  to  remain  in  Damascus,  so  he 
went  into  Arabia  to  prepare  more  fully  for  the  great  work  of  preaching 
the  Gospel  to  which  he  was  now  called.     After  being  in  Arabia  for  con- 
siderable time  he  returned  to  Damascus  to  continue  his  preaching.     He 
met  with  very  strong  opposition  and  escaped  from  the  city  by  being  let 
down  from  a  window  in  a  basket  with  cords. 

3.  His  Visit  to  Jerusalem.  —  After  being  released  from  peril  at 
Damascus  he  went  to  Jerusalem.     The  disciples  were  afraid  of  him,  as 
they  knew  him  as  the  persecutor  and  not  as  a  defender  of  Jesus.     Bar- 
nabas brought  him  to  the  apostles  and  told  them  of  his  conversion  on 
the  way  to  Damascus.     Peter  and  James  received  him,  and  he  remained 
fifteen  days  in  the  city.    A  plot  was  laid  to  slay  him,  and  his  brethren 
conveyed  him  to  Caesarea,  and  from  there  he  went  to  Tarsus,  a  city  in 
Cilicia,  his  home,  and  preached  probably  in  that  region  until  called  by 
Barnabas  to  Antioch. 

III.  THE  WORK  OF  PETER  (Acts  9:  32- n:  18). 

I.  His  Miracles. — After  Paul,  one  of  the  leading  persecutors  of  the 
church,  was  converted  and  the  attention  of  the  Jews  was  directed  to 
other  difficulties,  the  persecution  of  the  Christians  ceased  for  a  time. 
Peter  the  Apostle  proceeded  to  visit  the  different  churches  in  Palestine. 
He  went  to  Lydda  and  met  a  number  of  Christians  there.  ^Eneas  had 
kept  his  bed  for  eight  years  and  Peter  told  him  "  to  arise  and  make  his 
bed,"  and  he  arose  immediately.  At  Lydda  and  Sharon,  through  Peter's 
preaching  and  healing  of  the  sick  man,  many  turned  unto  the  Lord. 
While  Peter  remained  at  Lydda  he  received  word  of  the  sorrow  that 
had  come  upon  the  church  at  Joppa,  about  nine  miles  from  Lydda.  Dor- 
cas, the  woman  full  of  good  works  and  almsdeeds,  was  dead.  Many  had 
received  help  from  her  untiring  hands  working  with  the  needle,  and 
they  were  now  in  sorrow  and  mourning.  Peter  went  with  the  messen- 
gers, and  as  he  arrived  he  entered  into  the  upper  chamber  where  she 
lay,  and  he  was  shown  the  coats  and  garments  that  she  had  made.  Pe- 
ter was  left  alone  in  the  room  and  knelt  down  and  prayed,  and  he  said: 
"  Tabitha,  arise  "  and  she  arose  and  he  presented  her  to  her  friends. 
Through  his  teaching  and  miracles  here  many  again  turned  unto  the 
Lord. 

3.  Conversion  of  the  First  Gentiles —  While  the  apostle  was 
staying  at  Joppa  Cornelius  at  Caesarea  had  a  vision.  He  was  a  devout 
man  and  had  learned  to  worship  the  true  God.  In  his  vision  the  angel 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  IQ? 

told  him  that  his  prayer  and  alms  were  remembered  by  the  Lord,  and  he 
should  send  for  Peter  who  was  at  Joppa;  he  would  tell  him  what  to  do. 

The  centurion  sent  three  messengers  to  Joppa,  and  whue  they  are 
on  the  way,  Peter  at  Joppa  retired  for  devotion  to  the  flat  housetop  at 
the  noon  hour  for  prayer.  He  fell  into  a  trance,  and  he  saw  a  great 
sheet  let  down,  held  by  its  four  corners,  till  it  rested  upon  the  ground. 
It  contained  all  kinds  of  animals,  clean  and  unclean,  and  he  was  com- 
manded to  slay  and  eat.  Peter  declined,  for  he  had  never  eaten  any- 
thing common  or  unclean.  He  was  then  told  that  what  God  had 
cleansed  he  should  not  call  common.  And  after  the  repeating  of  the 
scene  three  times  it  ascended  again  into  heaven. 

At  this  time  the  messengers  arrived  and  the  Spirit  told  Peter  to  ac- 
company them  and  not  doubt  anything.  The  next  day  he,  with  a  .num- 
ber of  his  brethren,  accompanied  the  messengers  to  Caesarea.  Quite  a 
company  of  people  had  gathered  at  the  house  of  Cornelius  to  hear  the 
preacher.  Peter  told  the  people  that  he  was  only  a  man,  and  that  he 
was  a  Jew,  and  it  was  unlawful  for  one  of  his  nation  to  enter  in  to  or  as- 
sociate with  a  heathen.  Cornelius  told  Peter  of  his  vision  and  that  they 
were  there  to  hear  what  he  had  to  say.  Peter  told  them  that  God  is  no 
respecter  of  persons,  and  preached  the  glad  tidings  of  the  risen  Christ. 
The  Holy  Spirit  now  came  with  power  upon  these  Gentiles  and  they 
spoke  with  new  tongues.  Peter  could  not  forbid  water,  and  the  first 
Gentiles  were  now  received  into  the  church  by  baptism. 

3.  His  Defense  at  Jerusalem. — After  receiving  these  Gentiles  in- 
to the  church  so  contrary  to  the  teaching  of  the  Jewish  Christians  at  Je- 
rusalem, Peter  was  called  to  account  for  his  work  at  Caesarea.  He  gave 
them  a  history  of  the  entire  proceeding,  of  his  vision  at  Joppa,  the  mes- 
sengers sent  and  the  receiving  of  the  Holy  Spirit  by  the  Gentiles  before 
baptism.  He  had  with  him  six  brethren  who  were  witnesses  to  his  testi- 
mony. The  whole  assembly  now  glorified  God  for  giving  the  Gentiles 
repentance  unto  life. 

IV.  THE  WORK  OF  BARNABAS  (Acts  u:  19-30). 

i.  Organization  of  First  Gentile  Church.— Since  the  time  that 
Stephen  was  put  to  death  the  disciples  were  scattered  abroad  because  of 
the  persecution.  Many  had  traveled  to  points  outside  of  Palestine,  to 
Phoenicia,  Cyprus  and  Antioch,  preaching  the  Word  only  to  the  Jews. 
But  some  from  Cyprus  and  Cyrene,  went  to  Antioch  and  preached  Jesus 
to  the  Grecians,  and  a  great  many  turned  unto  the  Lord.  The  work  at 
Antioch  was  reported  at  Jerusalem  and  the  church  decided  to  send  a  re- 
sponsible brother  to  take  charge  of  the  work.  Barnabas  was  selected,  a 
man  fully  qualified,  being  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith.  When  he 


io8 


KEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY. 


arrived  he  took  charge  of  the  work  and  the  church  prospered  in  his 
hands,  and  many  people  were  added  unto  the  Lord. 

2.  Joint  Labors  of  Barnabas  and  Saul.— Barnabas,  realizing  the 
need  of  the  church  and  knowing  the  qualifications  of  Saul  as  a  Chris- 
tian worker,  set  out  at  once  to  Tarsus  to  bring  Saul  to  Antioch.    The 
two  returned  together  and  for  a  year  or  more  they  continued  to  labor 
side  by  side,  and  their  labors  were  crowned  by  a  great  number  being 
added  to  the  Antioch  church.     The  followers  of  Jesus,  not  belonging 
to  any  distinct  sect  of  Jews  or  Gentiles,  were  here  first  called  Christians. 

3.  Carrying  Alms  to  Jerusalem — Saul  and  Barnabas  had  been 
busy  at  the  Antioch  church;  they  received  word  by  the  prophet  Agabus 
that  there  was  a  great  famine  in  Jerusalem.     The  Antioch  church  decid- 
ed to  assist  the  Jerusalem  brethren,  and  every  member  according  to  his 
ability  aided  in  this  collection  and  the  church  sent  the  gifts  to  the  elders 
in  Jerusalem  by  the  hands  of  Barnabas  and  Saul. 

V.  PERSECUTION  BY  HEROD  (Acts  12:  1-25). 

1.  Beheading  of  James. — When  Barnabas  and  Saul  arrived  at  Je- 
rusalem with  their  gifts  the  Christians  there  were  under  severe  persecu- 
tion directed  by  the  cruel  ruler,  Herod  Agrippa  I.     It  was  at  this  time 
that  the  king  desired  to  please  the  Jews  as  a  nation,  and  he  took  meas- 
ures to  suppress  the  work  of  the  Christians.     It  was  about  A.  D.  44  when 
he  seized  James  the  apostle,  the  brother  of  John,  and  put  him.  to  death 
by  the  sword. 

2.  Imprisonment   of  Peter. — Herod  saw  that  he  had  gained  the 
favor  of  the  Jews  by  putting  James  to  death;  he  now  proceeded  to  take 
Peter  also.     He  had  him  imprisoned  and  carefully  guarded,  intending  to 
put  him   to  death   after  the  Passover. 

The  church  became  greatly  alarmed, 
knowing  the  intentions  of  the  king,  and 
held  a  prayer  meeting  in  behalf  of  Pe- 
ter. The  night  preceding  the  day  when 
he  was  to  be  put  to  death  Peter  was 
sleeping  between  two  soldiers  in  chains, 
and  the  doors  were  carefully  guarded 
by  the  keepers.  An  angel  came  and 
touched  Peter  on  the  side  and  raised 
him  up  saying,  "  Rise  up  quickly." 
And  he  asked  him  to  put  on  his  gar- 
ments and  sandals  and  follow  him- 
And  when  he  had  led  him  out  of  the  prison  the  angel  departed.  Peter 
now  recognized  that  the  angel  was  sent  by  the  Lord  and  had  delivered 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  IOQ 

him.  He  at  once  went  to  the  house  of  Mary,  where  the  disciples  were 
still  engaged  in  prayer.  When  Peter  knocked  at  the  door  Rhoda  came, 
and  when  she  heard  Peter's  voice  she  immediately  went  in  and  told 
them  that  Peter  stood  before  the  gate;  but  they  would  not  believe  her 
and  said  it  was  his  angel;  but  when  they  opened  the  door  they  were  as- 
tonished to  find  it  was  Peter.  Peter  now  told  them  how  the  Lord  had 
delivered  him  out  of  the  prison  and  commanded  them  to  inform  James 
and  the  brethren.  Peter  left  and  went  to  some  other  place. 

In  the  morning  the  soldiers  and  keepers  of  the  prison,  as  well  as 
Herod,  were  unable  to  learn  what  had  become  of  Peter.  The  soldiers 
knew  that  if  they  could  not  give  any  explanation  to  Herod  the  king  con- 
cerning the  prisoner  who  had  been  placed  under  their  care  for  keeping, 
they  would  be  punished.  Herod  had  them  put  to  death  because  they 
were  unable  to  give  a  satisfactory  explanation. 

3.  The  Punishment  of  Herod. — After  ordering  the  soldiers  to  be 
put  to  death  the  king  left  Jerusalem  for  Csesarea.  It  was  not  very  long, 
however,  until  he  himself  met  a  terrible  death  at  this  place.  At  the 
time  of  a  great  gathering  he  entered  the  theater  arrayed  in  his  beautiful 
kingly  garments  and  while  sitting  upon  his  throne  he  made  an  oration 
unto  the  embassadors  that  had  come  there  from  Tyre  and  Sidon.  And 
as  the  people  saw  him  in  his  gorgeous  robe  when  he  rose  to  speak  they 
shouted  that  it  was  the  voice  of  a  god  and  not  of  man.  The  king  re- 
ceived this  flattery  from  the  people,  but  an  angel  of  the  Lord  came  and 
smote  him  because  he  gave  not  God  the  glory.  They  carried  him  out  of 
the  theater,  and  he  was  eaten  of  worms  and  gave  up  the  ghost. 

QUESTIONS. 

Give  the  opening  event  and  date  of  this'period. 

Give  the  time  of  the  period. 

Who  was  Philip?  • 

What  qualifications  had  he  as  a  preacher? 

What  caused  the  Christians  to  leave  Jerusalem? 

What  success  had  Philip  in  Samaria? 

Whom  did  Philip  meet  in  Samaria  that  had  influence  over  the  people? 

Who  were  sent  here  by  the  Jerusalem  church? 

What  did  they  do? 

What  did  Simon  ask  of  the  apostles? 

How  did  Peter  answer  him? 

Where  did  Philip  meet  the  Ethiopian? 

What  Scripture  was  he  reading? 

What  was  Philip's  sermon? 

Why  did  the  Ethiopian  desire  to  be  baptized? 

What  happened  to  Philip  after  the  baptism? 


110  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

Where  did  Philip  do  his  missionary  work  from  now  on? 

By  whose  authority  did  Saul  go  to  bring  Christians  to  be  persecuted? 

What  happened  on  the  journey  to  Damascus? 

Where  was  he  told  to  go  after  meeting  Jesus? 

What  did  Ananias  tell  him? 

How  long  did  he  pray  and  fast? 

Where  did  Saul  do  his  first  preaching? 

Where  did  he  go  to  spend  some  time  in  consecration  and  prayer? 

Why  was  he  opposed  at  Damascus  and  how  did  he  escape? 

Why  were  the  disciples  at  Jerusalem  afraid  of  him? 

How  long  was  he  at  Jerusalem? 

Who  introduced  him  to  the  brethren? 

Which  of  the  apostles  did  he  meet? 

Why  did  he  not  remain  longer? 

Where  did  he  go  when  he  left  Jerusalem? 

REVIEW 
I.  The  Work  of  Philip. 

i.  The  conversion  of  the  Samaritans.    2.  Baptism  of  the  Ethiopian. 

3.  Missionary  labors  about  Caesarea. 
II.  The  Work  of  Saul. 

i.  His  conversion.    2.  His  early  preaching.     3.  His  visit  to  Jerusa- 
lem. 

III.  The  Work  of  Peter. 

i.  His  miracles.     2.  Conversion  of  the  first  Gentiles.     3.  His  de- 
fense at  Jerusalem. 

IV.  The  Work  of  Barnabas. 

i.  Organization  of  the  first  Gentile  church.     2.  Joint  labors  of  Bar- 
nabas and  Saul.     3.  Carrying  alms  to  Jerusalem. 
V.  Persecution  by  Herod. 

i.  Beheading  of  James.     2.  Second  imprisonment  of  Peter.     3.  The 
punishment  of  Herod. 


CHAPTER  III. — THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  GENTILES.- 
(Acts  13:  i  -28:  31). 


I.  PAUL'S  FIRST  JOURNEY  (Acts  13:  i  -  14:  28). 

1.  The  Divine  Call. — When  Barnabas  and  Saul  returned  from  Je- 
rusalem, where  they  had  taken  alms,  they  were  accompanied  by  John, 
surnamed  Mark,  a  relative  of 

Barnabas.  There  were  a  num- 
ber of  prophets  and  teachers 
at  Antioch,  and  when  they  met 
for  worship  and  deeply  con- 
secrated themselves  unto  the 
Lord,  the  Holy  Spirit  came  to 
them  and  said  that  Paul  and 
Barnabas  should  be  separated 
for  the  work  to  which  they  had 
been  called.  After  prayer, 
fasting  and  laying  on  of  hands, 
they  sent  Barnabas  and  Saul 
forth  as  missionaries.  Mark 
went  with  them,  and  after  a 
short  stay  at  Seleucia  they 
sailed  to  Cyprus. 

2.  The  Conversion  of  the   Roman   Deputy. — Reaching  Salamis 
they  entered  the  synagogue  and  preached  the  Word.     From  Salamis 
they  traveled  to  Paphos,  the  southwest  extremity  of  the  island,  and  the 
seat  of  the  Roman  government.     At  this   place   Saul   met  Elymas,   a 
Jewish  sorcerer  whose  original  name  was  Bar-jesus  and  who  was  dissatis- 
fied at  the  willingness  of  Sergius  Paulus  to  listen  to  the  preaching  of 
Paul  and  Barnabas.     Elymas  made  a  strong  opposition  to  the  teaching 
of  the  disciples,  but  Paul,  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  said,  "Thou  child 
of  the  devil,  thou  enemy  of  all  righteousness,  the  hand  of  the  Lord  is 
upon  thee  and  thou  shalt  be  blind,  not  seeing  the  sun  for  a  season."     He 
was  immediately  made  blind  and  needed  some  one  to  lead  him,  while 
the  deputy  was  astonished  at  the  miraculous  power  of  the  apostles  and 
he  believed.     At  Paphos  the  apostle  was  first  called  Paul. 

3.  Unfaithfulness  of  John  Mark.— After  the  three  had  finished 
their  work  at  Paphos  they  sailed  to  the  port  of  Attalia,  and  from  there 
they  went  across  the  land  to  the  town  of  Perga  in  Pamphylia.    At  this 
place  Mark  either  got  homesick  or  became  discouraged  because  of  the 

ClI2) 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  113 

dangers  that  were  threatening  the  missionaries  as  they  proceeded  further 
on  their  journey,  and  he  left  his  companions  and  returned  to  Jerusalem. 

4.  Two  Sabbaths  in  Antioch.— Paul  and  Barnabas  left  Derbe  by 
themselves  and  when  they  arrived  at  Antioch  they  entered  the  syna- 
gogue on  the  Sabbath  day  and  sat  down.    After  the  Scripture  was  read 
the  ruler  of  the  synagogue  gave  an  invitation  to  speak,  and  Paul  stood 
up  and  addressed  the  assembly.     In   this  sermon  he  presented  in  order 
many  of  the  chief  events  in  the  history  of  the  Jews  and  proved  that  the 
Messiah  had  appeared  in  the  person  of  Jesus,  and  by  his  death  and  res- 
urrection he  had  fulfilled  the  prophecies  respecting  him.     His  sermon 
made  a  strong  impression  upon  the  hearers,  and  as  they  were  leaving 
the  synagogue   many  expressed   a  desire   that  his  words  might  be  re- 
peated on  the  following  Sabbath.    A  great  company  gathered  on  the 
next  Sabbath  to  hear  Paul  speak,  and  when  the  Jews  saw  the  multitudes 
they  were  filled  with  envy  and  began  to  oppose  and  contradict  Paul. 
And  when  the  opposition  became  more  open  by  the  Jews  they  gave  at- 
tention to  the  teaching  of  the  Gentiles   and   many  believed.     But  the 
Jews  stirred  up  opposition  and  raised  a  persecution  against  Paul  and 
Barnabas  and  drove  them  out  of  their  coast. 

5.  Healing  the  Impotent  flan.— Obeying  the  teaching  of  Jesus 
"in  shaking  off  the  dust  from  their  feet"  against  their  persecutors  at 
Antioch,  they  came  to  Iconium  and  entered  the  synagogue  of  the  Jews, 
and  after  expounding   the   Scriptures   a  great   multitude  of  Jews  and 
Greeks  believed.    However,  the  unbelieving  Jews  stirred  up  the  Gentiles 
against  the  disciples,  and  when  a  number  of  Jews  and  Gentiles  with  the 
rulers  united  to  use  them  despitefully,  and  stone  them,  they  fled   unto 
Lystra  and  there  preached  the  Gospel.    At  Lystra  a  cripple,  who  had 
heard  Paul  speak  and  had  the  faith,  was  healed.     When  the  people  saw 
this  man  stand  upright  on  his  feet,  leaping  and  walking,  they  said  the 
gods  had  come  down  to  them  in  the  likeness  of  men,  and  they  called 
Barnabas  Jupiter  and  Paul  Mercurius.     When  Paul  and  Barnabas  saw 
that  they  attributed  the  power  of  healing  to  themselves,  they  told  them 
"that  they  were  men  of  like  passions"  and  directed  them  to  turn  away 
from  these  vanities  unto  the  living  God,  the  maker  of  heaven  and  earth. 

6.  The  Stoning  of  Paul.— Although  the  people  at  Lystra  had  been 
so  excited  by  the  miracle  of  healing  that  with  great  difficulty  the  mis- 
sionaries prevented  them  from  doing  divine  honors  to  them,  it  was  but 
a  short  time  until  the  superstitious  and  fickle  populace,  stirred  up  by  the 
Jews  from  Antioch  and   Iconium,  turned   madly   against  them,   stoned 
Paul  and  left  him  for  dead  outside  the  walls  of  the   city.     Some  of  his 
followers  stood  by  him  and  befriended  him;  the  apostle  arose  and  re- 
turned with  them  to  the  city  and  on  the  morrow  they  went  to  Derbe. 


114  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

7.  The  Return  to  Antioch. — After  preaching  the  Gospel  through 
all  the  region  of  Lystra  and  Derbe,  the  missionaries  deliberately  went 
back  again  over  this  field  of  labor,  completing  the  organization  of  the 
new  churches  at  Lystra,  Iconium  and  Antioch  and  confirming  believers. 
After  preaching  at  Perga  on  their  return  they  went  on  their  way  to  the 
seaport  of  Attalia.  Here  they  took  ship  and  sailed  for  Antioch.  After 
reaching  the  church  at  Antioch  they  reported  their  labors,  and  espe- 
cially that  God  had  opened  the  door  of  faith  to  the  Gentiles. 

II.  THE  APOSTOLIC  COUNCIL  (Acts  15:  1-35.) 

1.  The  Controversy  at  Antioch.— While  the  apostles  remained  at 
Antioch  certain  false  brethren  came  down  from  Jerusalem  and  created 
dissatisfaction  among  the  members  in  the  Antioch  church.     In  order  to 
settle  the  dispute  it  was  determined  to  send  Paul  and  Barnabas  and 
others  to  Jerusalem  to  the  apostles  and  elders  for  a  settlement  of  the 
dispute. 

2.  Proceedings  at  the  Council. — The  apostles  followed  the  coast 
line  of  Phoenicia,  and  passing  through  Samaria  and  Judea  they  reached 
the  city  of  Jerusalem.    After  arriving  at  Jerusalem  they  presented  the 
question  of  circumcision,  which  was  the  cause  of  the  dispute,  first  to  the 
apostles  and  elders  and  afterwards  to  the  general  council.     It  seems 
that  the  discussion  was  earnest  at  the  council,  but  after  Peter  told  them 
his  experience  in  the  conversion  of  Cornelius,  that  Jews  as  well  as  Gen- 
tiles   are   saved    by  faith  the   assembly  was  quieted.      Paul  and   Bar- 
nabas then  recounted  their  missionary  labors  during  the  last  four  years 
among  the  Jews  and  Gentiles.    James,  the  Lord's  brother,  the  leader  of 
the  church  at  Jerusalem,  judged  the  position  of  Peter  to  be  the  fulfill- 
ment of     Old   Testament    prophecy    and  that    the    Gentile    converts 
should  be  unmolested,  but  should  be  required  to  abstain,  first  from  meat 
offered  in  sacrifice  to  idols;  second,  from  the  flesh  of  animals  that  had 
been  strangled;  third,  from  the  eating  of  blood;  and,  fourth,  from  forni- 
cation. 

3.  The  Decision  and  Letters. — The  advice  of  James  met  the  ap- 
proval of  the  council  and  a  letter  was  drawn  up  setting  forth  this  advice, 
which  was  sent  by  the  hands  of  Paul  and  Barnabas  to  the  church  at  An- 
tioch and  to  other  churches.    Judas  and  Silas  were  selected  to  accom- 
pany them  and  confirm  the  decision  when  it  would  be  read  before  the 
church. 

4.  Effect  on  the  Antioch  Church. — When  the  report  was  made 
before  the  church  and  confirmed  by  those  from  Jerusalem,  they  rejoiced 
for  the  settlement  of  the  trouble.     Paul  and  Barnabas,  with  many  others, 
continued  to  work  in  Antioch  until  they  started  on  the  second  missionary 
journey. 


NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  115 

III.  PAUL'S  SECOND  JOURNEY  (Acts  15:36-18:22). 

1.  Separation  of  Paul  and  Barnabas. — Paul  proposed  to  Barna- 
bas to  go  again  and  visit  the  churches  which  they  had  organized.    This 
is  the  first  thought  of  the  second  journey.     Barnabas  wanted  to  take 
John  Mark  with  them  again,  who  had  left  them  on  the  former  journey 
at  Perga,  but  Paul  would  not  consent.     They  could  not  agree,,  and  they 
decided  to  separate,  Paul  taking  Silas  with  him  and  Barnabas  taking 
Mark.     Barnabas  and   Mark   went  to  Cyprus.      Paul   and   Silas   went 
through  Syria  and  Cilicia,  confirming  the  churches. 

2.  The  Call  of  Timothy. — Paul  on  this  journey  had  the  decree 
with  him  that  was  passed  at  the  late  council,  which  aided  him  among 
the  churches  he  visited.    As  they  visited  Derbe  and  Lystra  Paul  chose 
Timothy  to  accompany  them  on  this  journey.     Timothy  was   well   re- 
ported to  Paul  and  may  have  met  him  on  his  former  visit,  and  through 
the  preaching  of  Paul  became  a  disciple. 

3.  Founding  of  the  Galatian  Churches. — After  the  call  of  Timo- 
thy and  preaching  in  the  region  of  Lystra  and  Derbe  they  make  their 
way  up  into  Galatia  where  a  number  of  churches  were  organized.     To 
these  people  Paul  addressed  a  letter  on  his  third  missionary  journey. 
On  this  journey  the  missionaries  were  under  the  direction  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.     When  they  had  come  into  Mysia  they  desired  to  go  up   into 
Bithynia,  but  the  Holy  Spirit  directed  them  to  journey  on  to  Troas. 

4.  The  Macedonian  Call. — While  the  workers  waited  here,  Paul, 
during  the  night,  had  a  vision  in  which  he  was  directed  to  go  over  into 
Macedonia  and  preach  the  Gospel.    After  the  vision  there  was  no  doubt 
in  the  minds  of  the  missionaries  but  that  they  were  to  preach  the  Gos- 
pel in  Europe.     They  obeyed  the  call,  "  Come  over  and  help  us."     The 
apostle  went  to  Neapolis  and  proceeded  at  once  to  Philippi,  the  chief 
city  of  that  part  of  Macedonia. 

5.  First  Converts  in  Europe. — They    remained  in    the    city    of 
Philippi  some  days,  and  on  the  Sabbath  day  Paul  and  his  fellow-labor- 
ers attended   the  place  of  prayer,  which  was  outside  the  gates  where 
several  women  met  to  worship.    Among  this  number  was  Lydia,  a  seller 
of  purple  of  the  city  of  Thyatira.     Paul  preached  to  them  and  she  be- 
came the  first  convert  in  Europe.    After  Lydia  and  her  household  were 
baptized  she  offered  her  home  as  an  abode  for  the  missionaries  while  in 
the  city. 

6.  Imprisonment  of  Paul  and  Silas.— At  Philippi  lived  a  damsel 
possessed  with  an  evil  spirit  of  divination,  who  was  hired  by  certain  of 
the  citizens  and  who  brought  in  much  gain  to  them  by  her  soothsaying. 
She  followed  the  disciples  many  days  as  they  were  going  to  and  from 
the  place  of  prayer  crying,  "These  men  are  the  servants  of  the  most 


Il6  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

high  God."  Paul,  being  grieved,  turned  and  rebuked  the  evil  spirit, 
and  the  damsel  was  cured  and  restored  to  her  right  mind.  This  so  ex- 
cited the  rage  of  her  masters  that  they  suddenly  arrested  Paul  and  Silas 
and  brought  them  before  the  court.  The  charge  in  this  case  was 
prompted  by  anger.  The  magistrates  ordered  them  to  be  scourged  and 
thrown  into  prison  where  their  feet  were  made  fast  in  the  stocks. 

7.  Miraculous  Deliverance. — Although  imprisoned  by  man  they 
offered  prayer  and  songs  of  praises  unto  their  God  in  whom  they  trust- 
ed.   While  they  expressed  the  joy  of  their  hearts  the  other  prisoners 
were  listening,  when  God  delivered  his  servants  by  an  earthquake,  and 
every  door  of  the  prison  was  opened  and  every  fetter  was  loosed.    The 
jailer  instantly  concluded  that  his  prisoners  had   escaped,  and  would 
have  taken  his  own  life  by  his  sword  had  not  Paul  cried  out,  "  Do  thy- 
self no  harm,  for  we   are  all  here."     The  jailer  called  for  a  light  and 
falling  down  before  Paul  and  Silas  cried,  "  Sirs,  what  must  I  do  to  be 
saved?  "     The  jailer  and  his  family  were  converted  and  the  first  church 
in  Europe  was  founded.    The  magistrates  knew  that  they  had  violated 
the  Roman  law  by  not  giving  Paul  and  Silas,  who  were  Roman  citizens, 
a  trial  before  scourging  and  imprisoning  them.     Paul  demanded  that 
these  same  magistrates  should  come  and  release  them.     They  obeyed 
and  the  disciples  were  released. 

8.  Persecution  at  Thessalonica.— Luke,  who  had  joined  them  at 
Troas,  now  remains  at  Philippi,  and  the  apostle  with  his  fellow-laborers 
goes  on  through  Amphipolis  and  Apollonia  to  the  city  of  Thessalonica. 
For  three  Sabbaths  Paul  argued  with  the  Jews  in  the  synagogue  and 
showed  them  that  the  Messiah  had  come  and  fulfilled   the   Messianic 
prophecy.     Some  of  the  Gentiles  believed  and  also  some  of  the  women, 
but  the  Jews  which  believed  not  raised  a  mob,  dragged  Jason,  who  was 
entertaining  Paul,  and  other  "  certain  brethren,"  before  the  rulers  and  ac- 
cused them  of  rebellion  against  Caesar,  asserting  that  there  was  another 
king  named  Jesus.     The  magistrates  took  security  from  Jason  and  oth- 
ers for  good  conduct  and  then  released  the  disciples. 

9.  Berean  Bible  Students. — After  being  sent  away  from  Thessalo- 
nica, they  immediately  went  to  Berea  where  they  met  a  different  class 
of  worshipers.     After  entering  the  synagogue  Paul  commended  them 
for  their  openness  of  heart  and  earnest  searching  of  the  Scriptures  to 
know   the   truth.    After  the  Jews   at   Thessalonica  learned  that  Paul 
preached  the  Word  at  Berea  they  came  to  Berea  and  stirred  up   the 
people  against  Paul.     The  Brethren  immediately  sent  Paul  away,  but 
Silas  and  Timotheus  remained  in  Berea. 

10.  Discourse  on  Mars'  Hill.— Paul  after  leaving  Berea  was  tak- 
en to  the  city  of  Athens.    Here  he  waited  for  the  arrival  of  Silas  and 


NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.  llj 

Timothy,  and  while  he  waited  his  spirit  was  stirred  as  he  observed  the 
idols  and  the  idol  temples  in  the  great  city.  He  entered  the  synagogue 
on  different  Sabbaths  and  preached  the  Word.  He  was  invited  by  the 
Epicureans  and  Stoics  to  give  an  explanation  of  his  teaching,  and  he 
took  occasion  to  preach  his  great  sermon  on  Mars'  Hill,  using  for  a  text 
what  he  had  seen  in  the  city,  an  altar  with  the  words  "To  an  unknown 


God."  He  used  these  words  and  proceeded  from  these  to  proclaim  the 
true  God  and  the  future  resurrection.  His  hearers  dispersed,  but 
some  professed  themselves  believers. 

ii.  Founding  the  Corinthian  Church.— Paul  after  his  Athenian 
experience  went  to  Corinth  for  the  purpose  of  preaching  Jesus.  Here 
he  met  Aquila  and  Priscilla,  of  Asia  Minor,  who  were  on  their  way  home 
from  Rome,  whence  they  had  been  banished  with  other  Jews.  These 
were  tentmakers  by  trade,  and  the  apostle  joined  them  and  they 
wrought  together  at  the  same  calling.  They  remained  here  for  eighteen 
months.  Although  the  opposition  was  severe,  yet  many  believed. 
Here  he  was  met  by  Silas  and  Timothy  who  had  come  from  Berea. 
Timothy  brought  a  report  of  the  church  at  Thessalonica  and  Paul  wrote 
his  first  Epistles,  namely  First  and  Second  Thessalonians.  After  Gallic 
was  made  deputy  the  Jews  brought  Paul  before  his  judgment  seat  on 
the  charge  of  persuading  men  to  worship  God  contrary  to  law.  Gallio, 
however,  would  not  hear  them  and  drove  them  from  the  judgment  seat; 
then  the  Greeks  took  the  chief  ruler  of  the  synagogue  and  beat  him  be- 
fore the  proconsul.  Gallio,  the  deputy,  however,  cared  for  none  of  these 
things. 


Il8  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

12.  The  Return  Journey. — The  apostle  here  terminated  a  reli- 
gious vow  by  cutting  his  hair  in  Cenchrea.  He  now  left  Corinth  with 
Silas,  Timothy,  Aquila  and  Priscilla.  The  apostle  journeyed  to  Ephe- 
sus  where  Aquila  and  Priscilla  remained  while  he  and  others  proceeded 
to  Caesarea.  From  here  they  went  to  attend  the  feast  of  Pentecost  at 
Jerusalem;  after  which  they  went  to  Antioch,  where  they  remained  some 
time. 

IV.  PAUL'S  THIRD  JOURNEY  (Acts  18:  23-21:  17). 

i.  Founding  the  Ephesian  Church. — After  they  had  spent  some 
time  in  the  church  at  Antioch  they  departed  and  visited  all  the  churches 
of  Galatia  and  Phrygia  for  the  purpose  of  strengthening  the  disciples. 
At  this  time  no  doubt  he  visited  the  different  churches  he  had  organized 
in  Asia  Minor.  The  apostle  now  took  up  his  abode  in  Ephesus,  which 
was  on  a  great  line  of  travel  from  the  east  to  the  west. 

(1)  Labors  of  Apollos. — At  Ephesus  Paul  had  left  Aquila  and  Pris- 
cilla, who  instructed  Apollos  who  had  taught  erroneous    doctrine  and 
had  baptized  his  converts  unto  John's  baptism  instead  of  unto  Christ's. 
After  Apollos  was  instructed  by  Aquila  and  Priscilla  and  fully  informed 
of  the  doctrine  of  the  church  he  was  sent  to  labor  in   the  church  at 
Corinth.     Paul  now  instructed  and  rebaptized  those  baptized  by  Apollos, 
and  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  they  received  the  Holy  Ghost  and  began 
to  speak  with  new  tongues. 

(2)  Paul  in  the  School  of  Tyrannus.  —  Some   at   Ephesus   openly 
opposed  the  apostle,  upon  which  Paul  left  the  synagogue  and  entered 
the  school  of  one  Tyrannus.     Here  he  remained  for  two  years,  during 
which  time  he  made  the  words  of  Jesus  known  to  both  Greeks  and  Jews. 
He  had  special  power  given  him  so  that  many  by  their  hands  carried  to 
the  sick,  aprons  and  napkins,  after  touching  his  body,  expecting  to  cure 
them  of  their  diseases. 

(3)  Suppression  of  Witchcraft. — Certain  Jewish  sorcerers  attempted 
to  use  the  name  of  Jesus  to  cast  out  evil  spirits,  but  the  evil  spirit  re- 
fused to  obey  them  and  asked  who  they  were.     And  the  man  in  whom 
the  evil  spirit  was  drove  them  forth  out  of  the  house.     When  this  was 
learned  by  the  many  sorcerers  in  Ephesus  they  became  afraid  and  they 
brought  their  books  of  magical  arts  and  publicly  burned  them  in  token 
of  their  acceptance  of  Christ. 

(4)  Riot  of  the  Silversmiths. — It  was  nearly  the  close  of  Paul's  stay 
at  Ephesus  that  an  attempt  was  made  by  the  silversmiths,  whose  trade  of 
furnishing  shrines  for  the  worship  of  Diana  had  been  affected  by  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel,  to  raise  a  riot  against  Paul.     The  riot,  however, 
was  quelled  by  the  tact  of  the  town  clerk  and  came  to  nothing.    After 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY.  Ilg 

this  the  apostle  prepared  to  leave  the  city  to  set  out  for  Macedonia. 
Before  leaving,  however,  he  wrote  his  third  epistle,  namely,  the  First 
Letter  to  the  Church  at  Corinth. 

2.  Second  Visit  to  Corinth. — After  Pentecost,  A.  D.  57  (i  Cor.  16: 
8),  Paul  departed  northward  toward  Macedonia.     Reaching  Troas  he 
spent  some  time  there  preaching,  expecting  to  meet  Titus  with  news 
from  the  church  at  Corinth.    After  leaving  Troas 

he  crossed  over  to  Philippi  where  he  was  joined  by 
Titus  and  learned  the  condition  of  the  church  at 
Corinth.  Paul  at  once  wrote  his  second  letter  from 
one  of  the  cities  of  Macedonia  and  sent  the  letter 
forward  with  Titus  to  the  church.  Paul  now  made 
his  second  visit  into  northern  Greece,  then  in  the 
winter  of  A.  D.  57  was  with  the  church  at  Corinth. 
Here  he  wrote  Galatians  and  Romans. 

3.  Plot  of  the  Jews. — After  spending  three  months  at  Corinth 
Paul  was  anxious  to  visit  Jerusalem  and  take  the  gifts  that  he  had  col- 
lected in  different  churches  for  the  people.     Paul  was  threatened  by  the 
Judaizing  teachers,  and  there  was  great  danger  of  his  being  harmed  on 
this  journey.    At  Corinth  a  plot  was  formed  against  his  life,  and  instead 
of  going  to  Asia  by  sea  he  passed  northward  by  Philippi  which  led  him 
to  return  through  Macedonia. 

4.  Church  Services  at  Troas.— Most  of  the  company  left  Mace- 
donia before  the  apostle,  and  waited  at  Troas  for  Paul;  but  Luke  joined 
him  at  Philippi.    Arriving  at  Troas  on  the  Sibbath  the  Christians  were 
assembled  in  an  upper  room  and  the  apostle  was  preaching  till  after 
midnight.     One  in  the  assembly  by  the  name  of  Eutychus,  overcome  by 
slumber,  fell  from  the  window  upon  the  floor  below,  and  from  all  ap- 
pearance was  dead.     Paul   immediately  went  down  and   restored  the 
young  man  to  life  and  continued  his  discourse  until  morning. 

5.  Farewell  Address  to  the  Ephesians.  —  From    Troas  Paul's 
company  went  by  ship  to  Assos,  while  he  himself  made  the  journey  on 
foot.     But  from  Assos  all  sailed  together  to  Mitylene.     Passing  between 
Chios  and  the  mainland,  they  on  the  second  day  reached  Samos  and 
passed  the  night  in  the  harbor  of  Trogyllium.    The  next  day  they  ar- 
rived at  Miletus;  although  thirty  miles  from  Ephesus,  Paul  sent  for  the 
elders  of  the  Ephesian  church  to  meet  him,  and  after  they  arrived  he 
gave  them  his  touching  farewell  discourse.     He  told  them  to  declare  the 
whole  counsel  of  God,  to  care  for  the  flock  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost 
had  made  them  overseers,  and  to  feed  the  church  of  God  which  had 
been  purchased  with  the  blood  of  Christ.     He  spoke  of  the  bonds  and 


120  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

imprisonments  awaiting  him  at  Jerusalem,  and  it'was  his  conviction  that 
they  would  see  his  face  no  more. 

6.  Warnings  of  his  Friends.— After  leaving  Miletus  the  apostle's 
course  led  to  Coos,  the  day  following  to  Rhodes;  and  thence  to  Patara, 
whence  they  sailed  to  Tyre.  Here  he  spent  a  week  with  the  breth- 
ren who,  as  well  as  the  Ephesians,  showed  signs  of  sorrow  upon  his 
leaving.  In  spite  of  the  protest  of  the  disciples  at  Tyre,  Paul  left  on  his 
journey  for  Jerusalem.  They  sailed  to  Ptolemais  and  from  there  the 
next  day  he  went  with  his  party  to  Caesarea,  where  he  abode  with  Philip 
the  evangelist.  Philip  had  four  daughters  who  prophesied.  He  was 
again  warned  not  to  go  to  Jerusalem,  but  left  for  the  city,  and  a  number 
of  disciples  accompanied  him  from  Caesarea. 

V.  THE  JEWS'  REJECTION  OF  PAUL  (Acts  21:  18- 
26:  32). 

1.  Arrest  at  Jerusalem. — When  Paul  arrived  at  Jerusalem  he  was 
heartily  received  by  the  brethren.     Many  false  reports  were  circulated 
in  Jerusalem  which  prejudiced  many  of  the  Jews  against  Paul,  the  Gen- 
tile apostle.     In  order  to  remove  this  prejudice  he  was  asked  to  perform 
a  vow  with  four  other  men  in  order  that  he  might  be  classed  with  those 
that  walk  orderly  and  keep  the  law;  but  when  the  seven  days  of  purifica- 
tion were  almost  completed  some  of  the  Asiatic  Jews  recognized  him  and 
stirred  up  the  people,  accusing  him  of  having  brought  Greeks  into  the 
Temple.     Paul  was  seized  and  would  have  been  killed  had  it  not  been 
for  the    Roman  sentries  under  Claudius  Lysias   who  approached  and 
rescued  him.     He  was  taken  into  the  enclosure  of  the  castle  Antonia, 
and  having  received  from  the  Roman  tribune  permission,  he  addressed 
the  people  in  their  native  tongue. 

2.  His  Defense  before  the  Jews.— Standing  there  on  the  stairs, 
and  beckoning  to  the  crowd  with  his  chained  hands  to  invite  their  at- 
tention, the  apostle  began  to  address  them  in  the  Hebrew  language. 
He  related  his  own  personal  history  and  the  circumstances  of  his  con- 
version.   The  people  listened  for  some  time,  but  when  he  commenced  to 
speak  of  his  mission  to  the  Gentiles,  their  anger  knew  no  bounds  and 
they  would  have  put  him  to  death  by  stoning  had  he  not  been  protected. 
Claudius  ordered  his  prisoner  to  be  moved  into  the  castle  so  that  his 
guilt  could  be  made  known  by  scourging.    As  they  were  about  to  fasten 
him  for  the  purpose  of  scourging  Paul  asked  the  centurion  whether  it 
was  lawful  to  scourge  a  Roman  citizen  when  uncondemned.    The  cen- 
turion immediately  sought  information  from  the  chief  captain.    After 
they  knew  he  was  a  Roman  citizen,  Lysias  ordered  the  instruments  of 
torture  to  be  instantly  removed.     The  following  day  another  attempt 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY.  121 

was  made  to  ascertain  the  nature  of  his  offense  by  bringing  him  before 
the  rulers. 

3.  Paul  Before  the  Sanhedrim. — Paul,  looking   earnestly  at  his 
judges,  told  them  that  he  had  lived  in  all  good  conscience  before  God 
until  that  day.     This  so  offended  the  high  priest  that  he  commanded 
them  that  stood  near  him  to  smite  him  on  the  mouth.     Paul  said,  "God 
shall  smite  thee,  thou  whited  wall."     Knowing,  however,  that  there  was 
little  prospect  of  obtaining  justice  and  being  conscious  of  the  hatred  be- 
tween the   Pharisees  and  Sadducees,  he   declared  that  he  had  been 
brought  there  because  he  testified  of  the  resurrection  of  the  dead.     Im- 
mediately there  was  great  confusion  between  the  Pharisees  and  Sad- 
ducees.    Lysias,  fearing  there  might  be  an  effort  made  to  kill  Paul,  re- 
moved him  to  the  castle.    The  following   day  more   than   forty  Jews 
bound  themselves  by  a  solemn  vow  not  to  eat  or  drink  until  they  had 
slain  Paul.     Lysias  immediately  ordered  a  body  of  soldiers  to  conduct 
him  by  night  to  Caesarea  with  a  letter  to  Felix,  the  governor. 

4.  Defense    Before    Felix.— Five  days    after    Paul's    arrival    in 
Caesarea,  twelve  days  after  his  arrival  in  Jerusalem,  the  Jews  appeared 
before  Felix  and  laid  charges  against  Paul  of  violating  the  Jewish  reli- 
gious law  and  of  exciting  sedition  among  the  Jews.    The  Jews  had  an 
idea  that  the  governor  would  release  him  and  gave  the  apostle  an  op- 
portunity to  speak  in  his  own  defense.     Instead,  however,  of  setting  him 
free  Felix  chose  to  reserve  his  final  decision  till  Lysias  should  arrive. 
Paul  had  denied  the  charge  of  sedition  and  defied  the  chargers  to  prove 
it.     "  Professing  himself  a  faithful  follower  of  the  God  of  his  fathers, 
those  present  could  prove  nothing  only  that  he  had  expressed  faith  in 
the  resurrection  before  the  council."     Expecting  to  receive  money  from 
the  prisoner,  Felix  kept  him  in  moderate  confinement  for  two  whole 
years. 

5.  Defense  Before  Festus. —  Festus  shortly  after  his    accession 
went  to  Jerusalem  and  there  the  Jews  renewed  their  charges  against 
Paul,  asking  that  he  should  be  delivered  to  Jerusalem;  but  they  intend- 
ed to  kill  him  on  the  way.     Immediately  on  his  return  to  Caesarea,  Paul 
and  his  accusers  are  again  brought  together.     Paul  was  able  to  answer 
all  their  charges,  and  when  Festus  wanted  to  please  the  Jews  by  per- 
mitting Paul  to  go  to  Jerusalem  to  be  tried,  Paul  again  appealed,  as  a 
Roman  citizen,  to  Cassar,  the  emperor.     The  appeal  was  allowed,  but 
Festus  was  perplexed  how  to  describe  the  charge  against  the  apostle  to 
the  emperor. 

6.  Defense  Before  Festus  and  Agrippa. — On  the  arrival,  there- 
fore, of  Agrippa  and  his  sister  Bernice,  Paul  was  brought  before  them. 
After  Festus  presented  the  case  to  the  Jewish  king,  Agrippa,  Paul  was 


122  NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY. 

permitted  to  speak  for  himself.  He  related  the  history  of  his  past 
life,  his  conversion  and  the  great  theme  of  his  preaching.  His  sermon 
had  no  effect  upon  Festus,  for  he  declared  much  learning  had  made 
Paul  mad;  but  Agrippa  said  that  Paul  might  have  been  set  free  if  he 
had  not  appealed  to  Caesar. 

VI.  PAUL'S  JOURNEY  TO  ROME  (27:  i  -28:31). 

1.  His  Warning  to  the  Sailors.— The  Jewish  church  at  Jerusa- 
lem closed  its  history  when  Paul  carried  the  Gospel  westward  into  the 
Roman   Empire.    They    crucified  Christ;   they  stoned   Stephen;   they 
martyred  James;  and  now  the  great  apostle  left  their  coast  as  a  prisoner. 
The  moment  the   ship  which  bore  Paul  left  the  docks  in  Caesarea,  that 
moment  a  new  world  began.     Luke  and  Paul  could  not  help  feeling 
the  significance  of  this  hour  as  they  sailed  up  the  coast;  they  looked  up- 
on the  beloved  but  God-forsaken  land  for  the  last  time.    The  Gospel 
started  to  Rome,  went  from   port  to  port  and   found   many  obstacles. 
Study  these  two  chapters  with  the  view  of  learning  the  obstacles  that 
must  be  met  as  the  Gospel  moved  forward  in  saving  the  world.    In 
order  to  show  this  picture  Luke  gives  this  detailed  account  of  the  voy- 
age to  Rome:  Paul  was  delivered  over  to  a  centurion  named  Julius  and 
with  Aristarchus  of  Thessalonica,  the  evangelist  Luke,  and  some  more 
prisoners,  was  placed  on  board  the  vessel.    On  the  following  day  they 
came  to  Sidon  and  there  Paul  was  allowed  to  go  on  shore  and  receive 
his  friends.    They  sailed  along  the  side  of  Cyprus  and  when  they  came 
to  Myra,  the  centurion  found  a  ship  of  Alexandria  laden  with  wheat 
and  bound  for  Italy.     He  transferred  his  charge  and  they  left  with  a 
heavy   cargo  and  about  two  hundred  and  seventy-six  passengers.     It 
was  a  stormy  voyage,  and  they  were  driven  to  the  southern  coast  of 
Crete  to  the  harbor  of  Fair  Havens.     Here  they  tarried  some  time,  and 
the  apostle  advised  that   they  should  remain  there  for  the  winter;  but 
the  master  of  the  ship  decided  to  reach  a  harbor  called  Phenice,  farther 
to  the  west. 

2.  The  Storm  and  Shipwreck. — After  the  storm  was  upon  them 
they  weighed  anchor  and  were  keeping  close  to  the  shore,  when  a  vio- 
lent wind  called  Euroclydon  rushed  down  upon  the  ship  and  whirled 
her  around  with   such  force  that  the  helmsman  could  not  make  her 
keep  her  course.    They  were  driven  by  the  winds  of  the  southwest  and 
near  the  little  island  of  Clauda.     Here  they  undergirded  the  vessel, 
that  is,  put  heavy  cables  several  times  around  her  hull.    The  following 
day  they  lightened  the  ship  by  throwing  overboard  all  that  they  could 
spare.    This,  however,  but  little  relieved  the  strain  upon  her,  and  on 
the  third  day  both  passengers  and  crew  assisted  in  throwing  out  her 

For  several  days  neither  sun  nor  stars  appeared  in  the  sky, 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY.  123 

and  the  mariners  having  lost  their  reckoning  knew  neither  where  they 
were  nor  in  what  direction  to  steer,  and  gave  up  all  hopes  for  safety. 
Until  the  fourteenth  day  th.ey  were  at  the  mercy  of  the  storm,  during 
which  time  Paul  alone  gave  them  courage.  At  length  at  night  the 
sounding  lead  told  of  their  being  in  shallow  water,  and  betokened  the 
approach  of  land.  Paul  had  received  assurance  from  an  angel  of  God, 
whose  he  was  and  whom  he  served,  that  he  should  appear  before  Caesar, 
and  not  one  of  them  should  perish.  Throwing  the  anchors -from  the 
stern  of  the  ship  they  waited  for  the  return  of  the  day,  when  they  found 
themselves  not  far  from  an  island.  They  lifted  the  anchor  and  pulled 
for  the  shore,  but  being  caught  between  two  seas  the  ship  went  to 
pieces;  but  the  entire  company  escaped  safely  to  the  shore. 

3.  The  Winter  at  Malta. — The  island  where  they  landed  proved 
to  be  Melita,  now  Malta,  where  they  remained  for  three  months.     Here 
they  were  kindly    treated  by  the  inhabitants  for  whom  the   apostle 
wrought  many  miracles.    When  they  arrived  at  the  island  the  inhabit- 
ants gave  them  all  possible  relief  and  comfort.     Lighting  a  fire,  there- 
fore, on  the  shore,  they  welcomed  them  to  its  genial  warmth.     As  the 
apostle  was  gathering  sticks  to  increase  the  much-needed  blaze,  a  viper 
came  out  from   the  heat  and  fastened  on  his  hand.     The  apostle  no 
sooner  flung  off  the  creature  without  suffering  any  injury  than  they  said 
that  he  was  a  god.    Their  first  idea  was  that  Paul  was  a  very.wicked  man 
and  the  serpent  biting  him  was  a  punishment  for  his  wickedness.    The 
fame  of  his  having  power  to  heal  the  afflicted  soon  spread  abroad,  and 
the  sick  were  brought  to  be  healed.     Publius,  the  Roman  governor  of 
the  island,  now  welcomed  the  shipwrecked  strangers  and  Paul  rewarded 
him  by  healing  his  father,  who  lay  sick  at  the  time.     Four  things  are 
made  conspicuous  in  the  three  months'  stay  on  Melita:  the  hospitality, 
the  serpent  that  fastened  on  Paul's  hand,  the  healing,  and  the  beautiful 
charity   at  the  close  when  they  sent  away  Paul  and  his  two  Christian 
companions  with  "many  honors."     It  is  not  stated  that  Paul  preached 
while  here  for  three  months,  but  we  do  not  think  he  would  miss  the  op- 
portunity for  so  many  months  and  fail  to  tell  the  story  of  the  cross. 

4.  His  Arrival  at  Rome.— After  remaining  three  months  at  Malta 
Julius  placed  his  prisoners  on  board  another  ship  which  had  wintered  in 
the  island.     In  the  spring  they  sailed  first  to  Syracuse,  where  they  re- 
mained  for  three  days.     Leaving  Syracuse  they  passed  Rhegium  and 
from  there  sailed  to  Puteoli.    After  remaining  with   the   Brethren   in 
Puteoli  for  seven  days  the  apostle  under  charge  of  the  centurion  went 
toward  Rome.     He  was  met  by  brethren  from  the  city  at  Appii  Forum 
and  the  Three  Taverns,  and  by  them  he  was  escorted  to  the  capital, 
where  the  centurion  delivered  the  prisoners  to  the  captain  of  the  guard. 


124  NEW   TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

VII.  PAUL'S  LAST  YEARS. 

1.  First  Roman  Imprisonment.— For  at  least  two  years  Paul  re- 
mained in  Rome  under  guard,  but  in  his  own  hired  house,  waiting  the 
decision  of  his  case,  meanwhile  freely  preaching  to  all  who  came  to  him. 
During  these  two  years'  imprisonment  he  wrote  at  least  four  more  of  his 
letters, — Ephesians,  Philippians,  Colossians,  and  Philemon.    From  these 

epistles  we  can  glean  other  features  of  Paul's  life  in  the  capital. 

* 

2.  His  Release. — That  Paul  was  released  from  the  imprisonment 
seems  very  probable  from  the  tradition  and  from  the  teaching  of  the 
epistles  that  refer  to  his  release  after  his  trial.     During  these  years  of 
release  he  traveled  among  the  churches  and  wrote  First  Timothy,  Titus, 
and  Hebrews. 

3.  Final  Imprisonment. — Nero,  the  cruel  emperor  and  persecutor 
of  the  Christians,  imprisoned  Paul  the  second  time  at  Rome.     This  im- 
prisonment was  far  more  severe  than  the  first;  no  friends  but  Luke  and 
Onesiphorus  cheered  him  with  their  sympathy.     It  was  during  this  im- 
prisonment that  he  wrote  his  last  and  touching  letter  to  Timothy,  ex- 
horting him  to  constancy  and  boldness  in  the  faith.    He  was  condemned 
to  die.     He  trusted  as  he  claimed  to  his  death  in  his  Savior.     He  was 
sure  that  he.had  kept  the  faith.    (2  Tim.  4:  8). 


VIII.  CLOSE  OF  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY.— 

The  Acts  of  the  Apostles  closes  after  the 
beautiful  picture  of  the  voyage  to  Rome 
presented  by  Luke  in  the  twenty-seventh 
and  twenty-eighth  chapters.  In  some  of 
his  epistles  Paul  gives  us  some  informa- 
tion that  must  have  occurred  between 
the  time  that  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles 
closes  and  that  of  his  death.  The  history 
of  the  New  Testament  really  closes  at  a 
much  later  date,  about  the  time  when 
John  was  on  the  isle  of  Patmos  and  was 
given  the  history  of  the  church  that  is 
now  past,  and  also  that  which  is  present 
and  that  which  is  to  come.  Thus  the  his- 
tory of  the  New  Testament  is  being  fulfilled  constantly  in  our  times. 
As  we  close  these  lessons  we  hope  at  some  future  time  to  follow  the 
teaching  of  different  books  of  the  Bible  after  your  thorough  prepara- 
tion based  upon  this  system  of  Bible  Study. 


'THE  PROPITIATION  FOB  OCB  3IJ«3." 


NEW  TESTAMENT  HISTORY.  12$ 

QUESTIONS. 

What  time  is  covered  by  this  period? 

Give  the  description  of  the  divine  call. 

Name  the  missionaries  of  the  first  journey. 

What  did  they  do  at  Salamis? 

Who  was  Elymas  and  why  was  he  punished? 

Where  did  John  Mark  leave  tneiri: 

Give  a  description  of  their  work  at  Antioch. 

Give  an  account  of  healing  the  impotent  man. 

Why  was  Paul  stoned? 

Draw  a  map  and  trace  the  first  missionary  journey  and  locate  the  events. 

What  difficulty  was  there  at  the  Antioch  church? 

Give  the  date  of  the  Council  at  Jerusalem. 

State  the  proceedings  at  the  council. 

Give  the  account  in  full  that  was  given  to  Paul  for  the  Antioch  church. 

Give  the  time  of  the  second  missionary  journey. 

Why  did  Paul  and  Barnabas  not  continue  their  missionary  labors  to- 
gether? 

Who  went  with  Paul,  and  where  did  he  select  Timothy? 

What  new  places  did  he  visit  in  Asia  Minor? 

Make  a  full  statement  of  the  Macedonian  call. 

Tell  all  that  occurred  at  Philippi. 

What  did  Paul  and  Silas  do  while  imprisoned? 

What  was  the  difference  between  the  Thessalonians  and  Bereans? 

What  other  cities  in  Europe  did  Paul  visit  on  this  journey? 

Where  and  on  what  journey  did  he  write  his  first  letters? 

Give  the  time  of  the  third  missionary  journey. 

Who  was  Apollos,  and  what  mistake  did  he  make? 

What  letters  were  written  on  this  journey,  and  where? 

What  occurred  at  Troas  on  this  journey? 

What  special  teaching  did  Paul  give  the  Ephesian  elders? 

What  did  Paul  do  to  remove  prejudice  against  him  at  Jerusalem? 

What  made  them  so  bitter  at  his  address? 

Tell  what  Paul  called  the  high  priest. 

Who  were  Festus,  Felix,  and  Agrippa? 

Why  was  Paul  sent  to  Rome  for  trial? 

Do  we  hear  any  more  of  the  Jerusalem  church  after  Paul  was  sent  away 

from  the  coast  of  Palestine? 
Describe  the  storm  and  shipwreck. 
What  happened  at  Malta? 

What  books  did  Paul  write  during  the  first  imprisonment? 
What  books  were  written  during  the  release? 
Name  the  letter  that  was  written  just  before  his  death. 


126  NEW  TESTAMENT   HISTORY. 

REVIEW. 

I.  Paul's  First  Journey. 

i.  The  Divine  Call.  2.  The  Conversion  of  the  Roman  Deputy. 
3.  Unfaithfulness  of  John  Mark.  4.  Two  Sabbaths  at  Antioch. 
5.  Healing  the  Impotent  Man.  6.  The  Stoning  of  Paul.  7 
The  Return  to  Antioch. 

II.  The  Apostolic  Council. 

i.  Controversy  at  Antioch.  2.  Proceedings  at  the  Council.  3 
The  Decision  and  Letter..  4.  Effect  on  Antioch  Church. 

III.  Paul's  Second  Journey. 

I.  Separation  of  Paul  and  Barnabas.  2.  The  Call  of  Timothy.  3. 
The  Founding  of  the  Galatian  Churches.  4.  The  Macedonian 
Call.  5.  The  First  Converts  in  Europe.  6.  Imprisonment  of 
Paul  and  Silas.  7.  The  Miraculous  Deliverance.  8.  Persecu- 
tion at  Thessaionica.  9.  Berean  Bible  Students.  10.  Discourse 
on  Mars' Hill.  n.  Founding  the  Corinthian  Church.  12.  The 
Return  Journey. 

IV.  Paul's  Third  Journey. 

i.  Founding  the  Ephesian  Church,  (i)  Labors  of  Apollos  at 
Ephesus.  (2)  Paul  in  the  School  of  Tyrannus.  (3)  Suppression 
of  Witchcraft.  (4)  Riot  of  the  Silversmiths.  2.  Second  Visit  to 
Corinth.  3.  Plot  of  the  Jews.  4.  Church  Services  at  Troas.  5. 
Farewell  Address  to  the  Ephesians.  6.  Warning  of  his  Friends. 
V.  The  Jews'  Rejection  of  Paul. 

i.  Arrest  at  Jerusalem.    2.  His  Defense  Before  the  Jews.    3.  Paul 
Before  the  Sanhedrim.    4.  Defense  Before  Felix.     5.  Defense 
Before  Festus.    6.  Defense  Before  Festus  and  Agrippa. 
VI.  Paul's  Journey  to  Rome. 

i.  Warning  to  the  Sailors.    2.  The  Storm  and  Shipwreck.     3.  The 

Winter  at  Malta.     4.  His  Arrival  at  Rome. 
VII.  Paul's  Last  Years. 

i.  First  Roman  Imprisonment.     2.  His  Release.    3.  Final  Impris- 
onment. 
VIII.  Close  of  New  Testament  History. 


THIRD     BDITIOIV 


THE  LIFE  OF  CHRIST 

A    HARMONY  OF  THE   FOUR   GOSPELS 


By     B.    S.    V  O  U IV  G 


Just  the  book  for  the  Minister,  Sunday-school  Teacher,   Christian 
Worker  and  Bible  Student. 


This  book  contains  a  systematic  ar- 
rangement of  the  Savior's  Life  and 
Teachings.  It  is  divided  into  Nine  Pe- 
riods, and  each  period  has  a  map  On 
which  the  events  are  .located  and  thfe 
journeys  of  Jesus  shown.  It  has  One 
Hundred  and  Sixty  Events  from  the 
Birth  to  the  Ascension.  The  Scriptures 
on  the  same  subject  found  in  the  differ- 
ent Gospels  are  placed  in  parallel  col- 
umns on  a  page  under  proper  headings. 

It  is  a  valuable  aid  not  only  to  the 
Sunday-school  teachers  and  ministers 
but  to  all  students  of  the  Bible.  The 
plan  of  the '  work  is  so  arranged  that 
anyone  can  lay  his  hand  upon  almost 
any  event  in  the  Savior's  Life  and 
Teaching  in  an  instant. 

The  Book  contains  348  pages,  with 
illustrations  to  add  interest  to  the  nar- 
rative. Send  in  your  orders  at  once. 
Single  copy,  $1.50,  prepaid.  Address, 

BIBLE  STUDENT  CO.,  Canton,  Ohio. 

Prof.  M.  CK  Brumbaugh,  President  of  Juniata  College: — The  study 
of  the  Life  of  Christ  is  the  most  practical  study  in  the  world  and  your 
volume,  "  The  Life  of  Christ,"  will  be  a  help  to  that  study,  and  as 
such  I  commend  it  to  all  lovers  of  truth. 

C.  B.  Allen,  Pastor  of  Baptist  Church,  Canton,  Ohio: — A  conscien- 
tious and  prayerful  study  of  the  Bible  as  outlined  in  your  books  can- 
not but  result  in  a  perfect  knowledge  of  and  a  truer  devotion  to  Him 
who  is  our  Savior  and  Lord. 

Rev.  C.  W.  Brubaker,  Pastor  of  V.  B.  Church,  Canton,  Ohio: — I 
have  the  ftve  books  of  which  you  are  the  author  in  my  library.  I  con- 
sider these  books  of  a  high  and  valuable  order,  both  in  arrangement 
and  scholarship.  I  like  the  chronological  tables,  maps  and  illustra- 
tions as  well  as  many  other  rich  things  found"  in  them.  I  recommend 
them  to  all  who  desire  to  know  more  of  the  Great  Book,  the  Bible. 


